Here’s the handout for a talk I’m giving today to the Senior High School graduates..
5 Pieces of Advice You Didn’t Ask Me For, Didn’t Know You Needed, and Can Dump the Moment You Leave Here, or..
you can kind of listen to them, stick them in a drawer somewhere, run across them someday, and then say, “hmmm..who was the guy that said these really good things?”
Our Town, TX, June 6, 2008
1. Never stop asking questions. Be curious, be amazed, daydream, get lost on purpose, and wonder “Why?” every chance you get.
2. Live in love, not fear. Those are your only two choices. Hold onto someone’s hand during the scary parts, and respect rattlesnakes, angry people, and tornados. But don’t let anyone or anything make you so frightened that you live a half life.
3. Look around right now. Now is where we live. Now is where we are breathing, sitting, and experiencing. You can throw Now away by regretting yesterday, or feeling anxious about tomorrow. Or you can be alive- right now. Now is the Main Thing. In a little while, it will be something else.
4. Make your circles bigger. Discover that those people at the edges are really interesting! Go out of your way to meet someone who is a different race, speaks a different language, who is lost, or afraid, is younger/older, richer/poorer, attractive/repulsive. Then listen. Ask those questions! See the world in colors you haven’t seen yet!
5. Realize- know, believe, understand, and accept- that YOU are a vital part of God’s Continuing Creation. We’re not here to take, we are here to give. Takers rarely experience happiness. Givers are swimming in it. Give God a kiss every day- our human survival depends on it!
The First Morning 
David,
thanks for stopping by my blog… I sense a kindred spirit…
and good words here.
blessings,
roy
It has certainly been many years since I was in highschool, but know this Preacher…your words will live in my drawer and be pulled out for re-reading in times of emergency and times of joy. Especially #2.
Thank you, Roy..
Thank you, Graciel..
I noticed about half the kids left the ‘advice’ laying on the table when they left, which is probably exactly the way I would have regarded it when I was 17-18!
But maybe 1 heard, or 2..and a seed will grow.
Anyway, I’m glad it made into one drawer for sure! 🙂
Hi Barry – great stuff and I’d like to post it on my blog with a credit to you… Is this ok?
Dan, of course! Thanks..
It’s taken me about 37 years to realize all things you mentioned…… But then again, if you would have told me this stuff at 17, I wouldn’t have listened.