Ah, another May, another month of graduation ceremonies. Another round of congratulations, seize the day, the best is yet to come, blah, blah, blah. I read a post on Facebook today that said, “Enjoy today seniors!!!! Before you know it you will be out in the real world!!!! It SUCKS!!!!!!!!”
First of all, using multiple exclamation points does not elevate the truth level of a statement written. Nor does it make the reader feel any urgency to accept the wisdom in the message. Or at least not this reader.
Secondly, I disagree completely that the “real world” “SUCKS!!!!!!” Life is pretty darn good, and it seems to keep getting better as the years…at first…roll by, then fly by, then faster than the speed of light zip by. Perhaps it is a person’s willingness to see more of the good, rather than only complain about the bad, that makes the “real world” NOT suck.
I loved school. Everything about it. The books, paper, pencils, teachers, friends, and even grades. Junior High sports and dances. Awards won, and opportunities taken. I loved college. Everything about it. Cheerleading, Theatre, Student Activities Board. Student trips to Chicago, rock climbing, the Everglades. I loved the library, and Borup Coliseum where I finally learned to swim well and dive off a diving board. I loved the freedom that came from being somewhat on my own, but still having cooks to make my meals, and someone else (the college) to worry about utility bills.
I loved every minute of the “non-real world”. But I don’t want to go back. I lived that part of my life, and it was good. But the world really was wide open at that point, and it was up to me to create my path. So if my NOW sucks, it’s because of me. And I can take steps to un-suckify it if I really want to.
Lastly, what is this thing called the “real world”? Does it even exist? I’m pretty sure that as a toddler, grade-middle-high schooler and college student I was participating in life. And it sure felt real. I was real. I thought, therefore I was (Descartes…sort of). So graduation doesn’t thrust one into the real world, because one is already in it! Life is one (hopefully) long path; not a two part play but an epic of many acts.
So, to my daughter graduating from college in a week I say, “Congratulations on the path that you have paved for yourself thus far, and will continue to pave in the future!”
Well, I guess that doesn’t quite have the zip of just shouting “Seize the Day”!
*It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
-Aristotle