Grad Speech 1999

…And excuse me, can I have the attention of the class, for just one second?

I must say it is a pleasure and an honor to speak to you all this evening. It has been a dream of mine for four years to speak on this night. Now, I know we have all heard advice from parents, teachers, and other adults for our future. But I’m going to take this opportunity to let you hear a little advice from a fellow classmate. I suggest you listen carefully. You might be able to use some piece of what I’m about to say. So without further ado.

Live everyday like it is your last. So many times we find that life is very short. At the end of everyday, ask yourself if you have any regrets. And be able to tell yourself, no. Experience life to the fullest but use precaution. Do what you think you can not do. Be unpredictable. Be spontaneous. Do something new that sparks your interest -everyday. Do not let opportunities pass you by. And always remember you are only young once.

Do not worry about things you cannot control. Things will happen whether you like it or not. Furthermore, the past is the past so there is no use worrying about it. Although we can definitely and should, learn from it. Do not over analyze your thoughts otherwise, you will find yourself not sleeping at night. If things are not going well for you now, do not worry. Happiness is just around the corner. If things are going well for you, Congratulations.

Love yourself, but do not love yourself too much otherwise, you will find the mirror being your best friend. The people that matter will like you for who you are no matter what you look like. In other words, if you’re a banana, be a banana, if you’re an orange, be an orange. Do not try and change yourself and your appearance just to please others. You are all uni-que. I mean you are all unique in your own way. Never forget that. Now, something very important, playing video games and watching television will not help you mentally or physically, although running a mile and reading a book will. Never stop educating yourself. Most importantly never stop educating others.

There are no boundaries. Venture into the outskirts of imagination. Be whatever you want to be and do not settle for anything less. A high paying job does not necessarily equal happiness. You are better off being happy with a job you love. Before you get married, if you get married at all, live your own life first. If you are already married, be sure to keep each other young by enjoying one another. Work hard everyday of your life. Work towards every goal in your mind. Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. In order to be successful in life it takes hard work.

Take care of your body. It is the most valuable thing you own as an individual and the only one you have got. Otherwise at our 25th class reunion we’ll end up over weight and unhappy. Exercise and I guarantee you will be healthier. Try to stay healthy for the rest of your life.

Love and freedom are priceless and also free for the taking. The heart is a delicate thing so do not be reckless with it. Always remember to communicate with loved ones because you cannot always tell what someone else is thinking.

Never let anyone put words into your mouth. Speak your mind. What we need in this world are more outgoing talkative people. A lot of people need to realize that. Say what you want as long as it is in your own words and you do not offend anyone. It is sad that sometimes we have to fit into a mold someone has already made for someone else. Break that mold. Do not just say what people want to hear. Stand up for what you believe in.

All of you must remember that over time people change and so will you. Five years from now, almost nothing will be the same as it is now. People grow apart and people come together. We will lose some friends but make new ones. Life is in constant rotation.

Do not be afraid to live in different places. Sometimes it seems as though all roads lead back to Bristol. I suggest taking a different road to seek out new lands to enjoy. Seek out new cultures and new ways of life. Sure it might be scary at first but challenge yourself. Explore the world. Then decide where you want to live.

Travel but do not travel just to escape your problems, you will just carry them with you or they will be waiting for you when you return.

Invest in an IRA or mutual fund now. Watch it grow. Finance wisely. You must be careful if you live a life of materialism because a fool and his money are soon parted. All of the money in the world does not amount to anything without family and friends. Donate to charity because you never know when you will need charity yourself. Credit cards, now I know we all have one or more, do not solve financial problems they usually cause them. Use them wisely.

Now to conclude my speech, I would like to give a few last suggestions and reminders. Eat chicken soup when you are sick. Respect the Earth, it is the only one we have. Take many pictures. Do not drive fast. Invent something. Tell your mother you love her. Tell your father you love him. Read to your children. It is the best thing you can do to parent your children. If you cannot have children, adopt.  Do not forget to call home. And always remember to zip your fly.