Congratulations Class of 2014
Thirty-Five Years ago Today June 6 1979 I graduated from The El Cerrito High. One of the great classes of all time. Today my son graduates from Liberty High School – June 6, 2014. I think I take more pride in his accomplishments than I did in my own, and hurt more for him than I did for myself when he hurts.
Like all of us my still has his rough edges but I see him becoming a man. My wife said of him, “He has been a lot of work, but not a lot of trouble.” Although I will celebrate with him and give him counsel as a father should give a son, I wanted to outline here Seven Things for All High School Graduates to know:
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Although this may be viewed as a major milestone it is just a beginning, not an end. There is a lot more race to be run.
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All of us aim to do great things in life. The best way to start is to do small things in a great way.
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There are cranky, mean, unreasonable and demanding people in your life. They are called parents. When you look back over time their virtues and wisdom will stand out and their faults will appear much less significant. Thank Them.
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You are now or will shortly be “Adults” in a legal sense. Grow up and put childish things behind you. You will find the world far less forgiving of your mistakes now.
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You may not have a spouse or children yet, but someday you will. You will look back and wished you had started living for them now. Be responsible and plan for your future.
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When you work a 40+ hour week, commute, take care of kids, your home, and care for other family members you will look back on high school like it was a vacation. That is one reason we all get so nostalgic for it.
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One of the next big milestones in life is “Love”. Love is not a feeling, it is an action, it is putting others ahead of yourself. It is doing what you don't want to do because someone else is more important to you than yourself.
Good Luck Class of 2014.
P.S. Please start working hard and earning enough to pay my Social Security in a few years.
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