My neighbor’s four year old daughter, Vera–who conversation wise is easily going on fifteen or sixteen–proudly and with much excitement in her voice, announced to me yesterday that she is graduating from preschool.  She has rather successfully finished one chapter in her life and soon will honor that achievement and move on to the next challenge.  I thought to myself, this kid is ready.  It would not surprise me that she was the valedictorian of her class.

I like the feelings and the emotions of successfully finishing something and then awaiting or possibly moving immediately into the next challenge.  I think that is a problem with our society today, we do not celebrate or recognize our achievements often enough.  If Vera can get that excited about graduating from preschool, can’t we get excited about completing a major project or winning a large contract or maybe just breaking through immovable barriers to establish a new and exciting relationship?  Actually, finishing a week and making it to Saturday and still being in business can be an accomplishment in this industry.

Graduations are taking place all over our city, and from state to state.  Inspirational speeches are being made, impactful words of great wisdom are being dispensed from many stages,  Both fear and excitement are in the hearts of kids and young adults everywhere.  What comes next in life may be known or unknown but the world keeps on turning regardless of what fuels your mind and body.  You reach out for that rolled up piece of freedom, see your name clearly printed in bold letters, and you exit the stage wondering if everyone else in the room is feeling as good and as ready for the next chapter as you are.  Graduations are emotional times for kids, parents, grandparents, teachers, and the many other important players in your life.  Graduation day is a great time to recall the events of your past, bring your dreams and aspirations to the surface, and let go of all your fears and explore the unknown.

Congratulations to all reading this post that will experience a graduation over the next couple of weeks.  I say we all look for a reason to graduate from “something” before the week is out.  Let’s wrap up all of those nagging issues that are keeping us tied to the past and walk off stage this Friday with a rolled-up diploma in hand and a thousand unfolding dreams in our heart.  

Happy Graduation Day to all.