From the Editor's Computer
Graduation is approaching. A major milestone in the lives of 25 young people in Alix. It marks the final sentence in the chapter of their secondary school lives and the beginning of the next chapter.. These young people are about to cross the threshold from youth to adulthood.
Graduation is an exciting time, and yet, a time of fear and trepidation. Now what do I do? What if I make the wrong choice? Do I have to make a choice now? I don’t know what I want to be ‘when I grow up,’ so now what? I don’t want to grow up!! The questions are plentiful, and the answers seem to be in short supply.
It has been 11 years since I walked across the MACC stage in September and accepted my high school diploma from Mr. Rutten. Graduation was the last time our whole class was together, as many of us had already gone our separate ways - university, college, or jobs. A lot has changed since that night.
To the students graduating this year I’d like to share some thoughts…
- Listen to your heart - it does know the answers, if you take the time to listen.
- If you truly believe in your dreams, you will accomplish them, and more.
- If you trust that circumstances will work out, they generally will - doors will open that were previously closed and plans and details will fall into place.
- Remain open to the opportunities around you - opportunities for growth and learning, as well as for fun and adventure.
- Remember...people are always more important than things.
- And...money is not the most important object in the world - it can’t buy the things that really matter in life.
- You can handle anything life throws at you (even computer viruses!) if you take it one small step at a time.
- You don’t have to know it all, have it all, or be it all right now - delayed gratification is a good thing.
- Make sure you take lots of time for rest and fun so that life doesn’t overwhelm you. Laughter is the best medicine!
- Smile at everyone - it’s free and you never realize the impact you have on the lives of other people.
- Be yourself - that is all that is really required of you in life.
- Life is short and fleeting, so do what you can, with what you have, where you are, while you can.
Most importantly, you must learn day by day, year by year, to broaden your horizon. The more things you love, the more you are interested in, the more you enjoy, the more you are indignant about – the more you have left when anything happens. (Ethel Barrymore)
Congratulations to the MAC graduating class of 2002! May you all be successful in your future endeavours.
Beth
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12RjKAOZuY7XSdQpLMoyvhSia43mbyKz5/view?usp=sharing
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