@bethvogt
I attended a graduation ceremony on Monday.
It was a virtual ceremony, hosted by actor John Krasinski, via his Some Good News (SGN) YouTube channel.
One of the fun things about the ceremony? People were graduating from kindergarten right on up through college, all across the globe.
I also loved how, while John highlighted several valedictorians, he opted out of commencement speakers. Instead, he went for a commencement conversation. He asked graduates to send in questions. He then picked 4 questions, brought the graduates on his SGN broadcast, and had someone answer their questions.
Friends, I was taking notes.
And then I watched the whole thing again and selected 4 quotes I wanted to share with you today because they encouraged me so much.
Let’s get to it, shall we?
Question #1: How do you still follow your dreams when it feels like the world isn’t so supportive of them?
Answer from filmmaker Steven Spielberg:
“A real dream not only hangs on to you, but you will hang on to it. It will power you through every obstacle that people and environments will throw against you.” Steven Spielberg (1946-), American filmmaker
Question #2: If you can tell your younger self on thing, what would it be?
Answer from Pakistani activist Malala:
“Believe in your voice. Continue speaking. Don’t give up.” Malala (1997-) Pakistani activist
Question #3: Think about a time in your life that felt like a low point at the moment, but actually changed everything.
Answer from Oprah:
“Failure is an opportunity to move yourself in a different direction.” Oprah Winfrey (1954-), American media executive
Question #4: Now what?
Answer from actor John Stewart:
“Learn from each opportunity that you have. Let no opportunity be too small for your time. And let no opportunity ever be too big for your possibilities.” John Stewart (1962-), American comedian and writer
Which one of these quotes was your favorite? Or how would you answer the questions? I’d love for you to join the conversation today.
Quotes Worth Remembering from a Commencement Conversation for the Class of 2020 https://bit.ly/3cnTmh0 #SGN #Classof2020 Click To Tweet 'Every person you meet knows something you don't: learn from them.' #Quote from H. Jackson Brown Jr. https://bit.ly/3cnTmh0 #perspective #SGN Click To Tweet
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Comments 8
I love this! And isn’t his Good News Network a wonderful thing? And if I had to answer question #2, I’d tell my younger self:
1. You are not defined by what others think of or have done to you.
2. Don’t try to “find” yourself. Just be yourself and stay close to God.
3. Don’t try to make everyone happy.
4. Change your major. That one will never work.
Author
Angie:
I’m a huge fan of SGN — I consider John Krasinski a hero during the pandemic — searching out encouraging, good news during a time when we’re fighting an aggressive enemy. And I love #2. Don’t try to “find” yourself. Just be yourself and stay close to God.
A note, now, to my younger self;
life’s not what it seems,
and keep a place upon your shelf
to place your treasured dreams,
for though you fail and are brought low,
get up again, and try;
accept each crushing body blow,
but do not let hope die,
for there will be a shining morn
the one you hoped might smiling come,
and what seemed lost will be reborn,
and your life will have begun;
to reach, with valour and with passion,
the purpose for which you were fashioned.
Author
Good morning, my friend:
I love how you speak of hope … “do not let hope die …”
You’ve lived that truth out day after day after day.
What an inspirational message! We can always learn from each other.
Author
I’m glad you were encouraged, Melissa. If you haven’t watched the SGN videos, you’ll love them! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOe_y6KKvS3PdIfb9q9pGug
This post is so fabulous. There are simply not enough “like“ buttons. You chose well and I like them all, but Steven Spielberg’s really grabs me, the idea of holding on and not letting go and while I don’t know a lot about his life, I heard that as a young wannabe film maker, he dressed up each day and talked his way into the same Hollywood movie lot until the guards and people inside began to figure he belonged there. He gradually knew people, got involved in projects, and sure enough he did belong there. He pulled off quite an amazing dream himself even at the start. That took a certain amount of strategy and guts. Well done and great example. Wonderful post again. You really do shine with nonfiction, too. Thanks so much!
Author
Dee: I had quite a lot of fun putting this post together. The SGN video is so motivating (the link is in my comment to Melissa Henderson), and you know how I love quotes. Thanks for sharing more about Steven Spielberg.