This is the time of year when students across the country sit in cap and gown, nerves jumping, hopes exploding, and faces uplifted to the (we can hope) wiser old soul who has come to offer knowledge, advice and recognition in a commencement address. For a precious few moments, their years of efforts are acknowledged, their triumphs celebrated, and their futures exalted. No doubt, most of them sit there whispering to one another, counting the seconds until the final word is uttered; they don’t know that over the years, recognition will be hard to come by. That the world of bills and bosses, kids and cancer can consume the powerful certainty they now have of their invincibility.

And good for them. They’re not supposed to know any of that now. But the rest of us…we’ve weathered mighty storms and it’s been far too long since we were acknowledged for having done so. Too long since we felt expectant and joyous about what is still to come. So, in that effort, I would like to stand on the stage today, looking out upon your older, yet still eager faces, and honor your journey. For it is, like our younger cohorts’, just beginning.

Please…take this moment with me to sit and reflect upon your endless stream of accomplishments. You’ve come so far. You’ve worked so hard. Countless times, you’ve fallen down, only to dust yourself off and carry on. You’ve patched together your broken heart so many times you know what you didn’t know at twenty-two: it doesn’t break. You’ve been pushed out of your comfort zones, kicking and screaming, only to find that the place you most dreaded is now rather comfortable. You’ve woken each morning and earned your keep—and some respect along the way. You’ve elicited smiles from strangers and laughter from friends. You’ve loved hard and lost harder—and still, you stand, ready to love again. You’ve made it through rejections and humiliations, broken dreams and unfathomable disappointments. Life hasn't unfolded as you expected it would as you squirmed through your own long-ago commencement ceremony. But you’ve made it, and you will always make it, because if you were right about anything way back when it was that you are invincible.

You’re many more things, too—and at this point in the journey, they’ve become trusted tools in your travel bag. You bring with you a bottomless satchel of wisdom and strength. Do you think you’ve tread through swamps and bramble for nothing? Do you think because you’re scraped and tired that you’re somehow weakened? Never. You’re resilient and resourceful, capable and strong; smart and compassionate, fun and interesting, gifted and beautiful (yes beautiful)…loved and vital. You matter. You are necessary. Despite the setbacks and what you’ve called failure, despite the heartache and shaken dreams, you have something that this world desperately needs. If you don’t know what that is—it doesn’t make it any less true. You have earned your right and your ability to change your life and the world around you. You have graduated with honors and have a big, bright future ahead of you. 

Can you see it?

I can. I know there is nothing you can’t do. They told you that at twenty-two, but they were stretching the truth a bit back then. The real truth is, you can’t do much until you’ve perfected your form; pushed yourself hard to build up endurance; lost so many races that you know what it takes to win. Being unconquerable only happens now…after your years of preparation. 

Right now is the true commencement of your journey. Everything has been readying you for this moment. Take it. Take it.

And never look back.

It’s time to begin—again!