Anyone who gives a graduation speech should be at least 65 years or older. Elders are in this group, which would include great-grandparents, great uncles and aunts, and cousins. These people have been around the block once or twice. They have common sense and intelligence mixed with wisdom. They have “been there and done that.” These are the kinds of people graduates need to listen to. 

Graduation speeches are the last lesson graduates receive. Why not have the last lesson be taught by someone who is an expert in living? Elders have the wisdom to say, “I learned a lot since I knew it all. Here are some of the lessons I learned.”

I can envision a group of elders on stage. Each one would hold a microphone and they would take turns completing this sentence. “Here is what I want you to remember today as you get ready to face tomorrow.”

Some would talk about the need to serve others and quote Dr. Martin Luther King: “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don't need a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” 

Today’s elders would want today’s graduates to serve others. Is there a greater reward than the feeling we get by serving others? Is there a greater need? Can you imagine Iran and the United States sitting down and saying, “Let’s begin by finding ways to help each other. Let’s be a model for the rest of the world.” Imagine?

Some would talk about the fact that life is what you make of it. It’s your decision. They might quote Dr. Seuss. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.” 

As I told my children and students on a number of occasions, “Just don’t do anything stupid.” That’s why you have the diploma in your hand. You are smarter because of it. Use your knowledge to make wise choices. 

Elders would like to remind graduates that it is now your turn to go out and make your way. We have done as much as we can. We have done our best. The rest is up to you. Go out and fulfill your dreams. They might quote Eleanor Roosevelt, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Anyone who has done something truly great started with a dream. There is something special at the end of the rainbow. Go out and find it. 

Elders with vision know the importance of having something left to do. An elder who speaks about growing old might quote Star Wars Yoda, “Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.” 

My mentor would often tell me, “Just do it.” Set a goal for yourself and just do it. Have a good idea? Just do it. Do you wish to apply for a job you think you may not get? Just do it. Elders know the importance of making the best of the time they have left. 

Elders know that a high school or college degree is no guarantee of success. Life is full of dangers. Woody Hayes, a football great, reminds us of one danger: “One thing you cannot afford to do--that's to feel sorry for yourself. That's what leads to drugs, to alcohol, to those things that tear you apart. In football, we always said that the other team couldn't beat us. We had to be sure that we didn't beat ourselves.”

Diplomas don’t guarantee success, but they are a big help in finding success, just as long as you don’t lose your way. Elders would say, “Keep on the straight and narrow,” and you will do just fine. That’s good advice. Be careful, choose wisely. Often, the narrow road is the best road.

Life is full of setbacks. Any elder will tell you this. They will also tell you that the only worthy option available when you do get knocked down is to get up. Comedian Milton Berle said, “If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.” There will be many times in life when you will have to build a door to walk through. This is where ideas, vision, innovations and dreams are found—through a door you created. Don’t see an opening? Build a door. 

Be careful about wishing for TGIF days. Too often, we equate work with something we wish to avoid. We count our years, months, and days before we can retire. Elders would remind graduates that when they find a job they love, they will never have to work a day in their lives. Now that you have a diploma, your success will be measured by how little you work. Be grateful for TGIM days—Thank God it’s Monday. Now I can start having fun again.

So, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” (Henry David Thoreau)

Our panel of elders would end by saying, “Some days are not so good. Some days are the best. But thank God there is another day.’  

Riddle; Why didn’t the teacher allow the pig to be in the play? (Answer: He was too much of a ham.) Now graduates will be on stage the rest of their life. It’s good sometimes to be a ham.

100%: Thanks to the Blackduck City Council for allowing me the time to talk about 100%.