Graduation Day

A couple days ago, my daughter graduated from high school. The ceremony touched all the traditional bases: the orchestra playing Pomp & Circumstance, the choir singing the alma mater, the valedictorian and class president giving speeches, administrators handing out of diplomas, newly minted graduates tossing their caps in celebration ...

The Grad & Her Brother

The whole thing got me wondering what my father had to say to high school graduates back in the day. I dug into the barrel and found a short message he delivered to the Class of 1986 at the baccalaureate service for the Great Valley High School in Malvern, PA.

Dad's message drew a contrast between two views of life: (1) a live-for-the-moment view where "the highest good is in the present moment being more thrilling than anything in the past," and (2) a view that life is a journey. Today, "those who view life as a journey are a precious few, a saving minority, upon whom our civilization is increasingly dependent for survival."

So, how can you tell that you are one of the chosen few who sees life as a journey?

• You care not only about where you are now, but also where you came from and where you are going.
• The words "agenda" and "goal" and "purpose" have meaning to you.
• You believe it is important to discover why you have been created and what is your ultimate reason for being.
• You are aware that you do not journey alone. There are many fellow travelers with you on the road. Sometimes you must sacrifice your own progress to help a wounded traveler [because] somehow you know that no one really arrives at the destination until all have arrived.

If these things are true of you, then you are living life as a journey, which ultimately is a religious view of life. On this journey, "it matters what we do now because the direction we go and each step we take determines [whether we are moving towards or away from] the One who gives us life. ... You will be hopelessly lost in your journey outward if, at the same time, you are not also journeying inward -- inward to get in touch with who you are, and who God is, and what [God] wants you to do with your life."

I can't wait to see where this journey -- outward and inward -- takes my daughter in the years to come after Graduation Day. Congratulations, Adrienne, on the latest step in your journey!

"The Journey" - Great Valley H.S. - 6/8/1986