It is the commencement season. Students completing one phase of their education going on to another stage. In this case, high school graduation for my oldest grandbaby – Lindsay. She graduated Sunday, June 2nd from St Charles East High School in Illinois. She will continue her studies at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois in fall.
Commencement is a new beginning, hence ‘commence.’ Graduates see this as an end of their high school classes. But soon they begin the next phase of their life. Whether that is the world of work and career, or of more education depends on the person. Whether trade school, military boot camp or college campus, these young people are working with what they know about the world and themselves and prepare to gain more life experience.
This commencement is exciting and hopeful. It is also troubling and a bit fearful. What lies ahead can and will be both positive and negative. The yin and yang of life teaches each of us what we are made of, what we are interested in, and what possibilities lie ahead for us to experiment with and explore. The journey of personal discovery is the core of this period of life. (And it never ends!)
Some of us weathered this stage well; others not so well. Some failed dismally. If they survived, though, they still look back on this period of life and know – know – that what they learned about themselves was the payoff.
Recall your own experience. Did I commit my whole being to this enterprise, or did I just get along best I could? Did I dig deep and test my strengths, discover my weaknesses, and still discover joy and potential? None of us are born with defined purpose and futures. Just time ahead to live into.
Into. Stepping into the unknown is education. We learn what we don’t know. We begin to understand that we will never know everything – about the world or about our self. Yes, the world is that large; the self is incalculable as to its reach and capability. All of that is there for us to explore and discover. The possibilities are huge. Our own potential is elastic and expandable within those possibilities.
With all the love and hopes from loved ones, each graduate steps into the future. With our support they will prosper, get bumped at times, yet still succeed. They will be knocked down and spring back to explore more. They will grow. They will learn.
And we will hold our breath at times as they venture into their destiny. We wish them well. We love them. They are the promise of each and every one of us.
Let the future be ready for them! Here they come, ready or not!
June 3, 2019
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