“Join in the new game that's sweeping the country. It's called "Bureaucracy" Everybody stands in a circle. The first person to do anything loses.” - anon

“A person will sometimes devote all his life to the development of one part of his body - the wishbone.” - anon

“Just when you think that a person is just a backdrop for the rest of the universe, watch them and see that they laugh, they cry, they tell jokes...they're just friends waiting to be made.” - Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein



NOTE: The following is an excerpt from an address I gave one year at graduation when I was teaching at NAIT. I grant you that parts of it sound a bit rustic now, but remember that my audience was largely 18 and 19-year-olds taking one of the "big" life steps. Forgive me if you think it's too cornball!!

P.S. This one is especially dedicated to you, Becky.



....Enough about being a student, what about being a person? The one truly joyous thing that I've discovered in my years of teaching is that every person is absolutely unique, and sometimes our system fails you a bit because we don't treat you that way. For that I'm sorry, but recognize your uniqueness --- it is your best strength.

You've taught me that since the beginning of time there has never been another with your heart, your mind, your eyes, your hands. None that came before, none that live today, and none that will follow will move or think exactly as you do.

You've taught me that there is no point, therefore, to envy or attempt to imitate others. Instead, put your uniqueness on display and be proud of it. For your skills, your mind, your heart and your body will stagnate if you don't use them. You really do have unlimited potential. Use it fully.

You've taught me that you and I are unique. You are not on this earth by chance --- you are here for a purpose. You have been given eyes to see, a mind to think and hands to apply. Allow problems, discouragements and heartaches to be opportunities in disguise.

You've taught me that today is always the most important day of my life. Seize the day. Learn as if you would live forever --- live as if you would die tomorrow.

You've all taught me that you are all very specially unique in all aspects of your being. It has been said that we are all flowers in the garden of life. Grads --- it has been a pleasure walking in your garden.

You've taught me that you are each pricelessly special. Would all the friends and families of the grads please rise.

To the grads.



PEACE.

Posted by Evydense on Friday, January 05, 2007 at 7:15 a.m. | Permalink