It’s Graduation Season once again. Caps and gowns are everywhere we look, along with a renewed sense of excitement about the future. These annual rituals are a time to celebrate and honor the achievements of the next generation.

 

For parents and relatives of our graduates it’s also a mixed bag of emotions. It’s hard to make sense of the feelings of joy, excitement, and being so proud, yet also a sense of loss and sadness, and that nostalgic felling of wondering where all the time has gone.

 

I realize that this is such an old cliché but enjoy your youth and your young because we know that is all goes by much too fast.

 

With that in mind I thought I’d share a letter to all the graduates out there this year, modeled on the one I wrote to my son just one year ago.

 

To the Graduate-

Graduation Day is a day to celebrate everything you’ve accomplished and know that we are all  so very proud of you for what you’ve achieved and excited for what lies ahead of you. As you make your way into the world and prepare to put you own personal stamp upon it, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Be Bold

You have your own thoughts, and your own ideas so take a stand for what you believe and don’t ever compromise those values that mean so much to you.

 

Take Some Risks

You are young and at this point in your life you don’t have that many obligations. Now is the time to take a few risks, test the waters and see how things work out.

 

Don’t Be Afraid to Fail

Most of the best lessons learned in life will come from those times things didn’t go the way you planned- failure isn’t fatal and a necessary part of the path to success.

 

Follow Your Heart

It’s easy to go astray sometimes, and there are times you will be forced to make some tough decisions. When those times arrive listen to that voice inside of you and trust that things will work out.

 

Go After What You Want

The most expensive thing in life is regret. If you truly want something and you are passionate about it, then go after it with everything you’ve got. The obstacles you encounter along the way are meant to be hard, and everything you want in your life is on the other side of that barrier.

 

Love Unconditionally

There are a few people in this world that you may choose to open your heart to. When this happens, do it fully and without conditions or expectations. Give that person the best of you and see where that leads.

 

Don’t Forget to Call Your Parents!!

Yes, you’re moving on, but your parents love you as much as they did they day you were born. While you may have frustrated us at times, we love you and want to hear from you… a lot.

Parents are for life. Plus it’s a good way for you to stay indefinitely on our cellular plan J!

 

Wherever you go and whatever you may do, know that we are your biggest fans and will always be out there in the stands cheering for you.

 

Congratulations to all the Graduates

Today isn’t the ending, it’s the beginning.

 

 

 

Thoughts for the week:

 

What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. -Sun Tzu

 

Nobody likes to fail, but failure is an essential part of learning. If your uniform isn’t dirty, you haven’t been in the game. -Ben Bernanke

 

The old rules are crumbling and nobody knows what the new rules are. So make up your own rules. –Neil Gailman

 

Opportunity is missed by most people because it’s dressed in overalls and looks like work. –Thomas Edison

 

 

Looking forward to our next connection

Coach Tim