Tag: commencement speeches

Posted on in environment, family, inspiration, parenting, poetry, Technology and social media

If I were Oprah Winfrey–my speech to the graduating class of 2026

Trent University Environmental Sciences graduates with their professor

Friday was a special day. I attended the convocation ceremony at Trent University in Peterborough for my daughter Grace who graduated with a BHSC in Environmental Resource Science.

It was a lovely ceremony and like every parent who sat in that gymnasium, we were so very, very proud of our daughter.

It made me think of a blog post I wrote five years ago when both my girls were graduating (elementary school and high school) during the height of COVID.

So much has changed in the past five years. The world is a scarier place. And in some ways, our children seem less equipped to solve its problems.

It made me wonder, what would be my message to this year’s graduating class if I was a big celebrity like Oprah Winfrey? I think my speech would go something like this.

Don’t be afraid
of who you are and who you aren’t
or not knowing who you will become
nobody has it figured out
even the people who look like they have it all figured out
(especially the people who look like they have it all figured out)
be happy with who you are today

Don’t be afraid
to laugh or cry
protest or mourn
to shout wantonly from the rooftops
or dance wildly in the streets
never stand idly on the sidelines
when you can be exulting in the moment

Don’t be afraid
to put away your phone
and look directly in someone’s eyes
to connect on a deeper level
and seek love, trust, compassion
it is, after all, the essence of being human
and the future of humanity

Don’t be afraid
to take chances and risks
to accept or ignore people’s advice
only you know what’s best for you
everyone else is just a spectator in your life
cheering you on from the stands
forge your own path in life

Don’t be afraid
of that niggling voice in your head
planting seeds of doubt
convince that voice
you are capable, prepared
and even if you fail, you will be okay
climb that peak

Don’t be afraid
to talk to your parents from time to time
we’ve watched you grow and falter
succeed and stumble
and reach heights we never imagined
you may not need us any more
but we need you

Don’t be afraid
of the world and its problems
in all its vastness and complexity
love and hatred
beauty and darkness
there is still good in this world
you may just need to work a little harder to find it

Don’t be afraid.

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If I were Oprah Winfrey: my commencement speech to the graduating class of 2020—The Next Act

Two new Trent grads standing in front of an alumni sign in their gowns
Posted on in community, family, inspiration

If I were Oprah Winfrey–my commencement speech to the graduating class of 2020–The Next Act

Clare at her Grade 8 graduation

My two beautiful daughters graduated this past week, one from high school, one from elementary school. There were no dances, no proms, no gatherings of proud parents watching graduates parade across a stage in gown and cap. There was a 15-minute interval where they picked up their diplomas and awards and had their picture taken with one or two family members, and then that was it.

My heart goes out to all of these kids, and I couldn’t help thinking, if I was some big celebrity who was asked to deliver a commencement address to the graduating class of 2020, what would I say?

Here would be my Oprah speech:

The Next Act

It wasn’t supposed to end this way.

I know this isn’t the graduation you dreamed of.

You should have been dancing. Hugging. Celebrating with your classmates. Dreaming and looking ahead with excitement and anticipation to the next act in your life.

But you are not the first class to graduate in uncertain times. There have been those before you who have graduated in times of war and economic downturn.

Graduation is by design, a time of uncertainty and change. But we acknowledge this year is different.

in addition to the natural uncertainty of the questions every graduate faces, college or university, work or travel, you have the pressing uncertainties of a world in flux and change.

#BlackLivesMatter. Climate change. Coronavirus.

You will forever be known as the graduating class of COVID-19.

We are so sorry this happened to you.

It shouldn’t have ended this way, but know how proud we are of you and how confident we are that you will come through this stronger, smarter and more resilient.

Although you may not see this now, you have been given a unique graduation gift.

A gift of time to reflect on your goals, dreams, purpose and future.

A gift of clarity of what matters most, human kindness and acceptance, our natural world, and the importance of family and human connection.

These past few months have given you an education no institution ever could.

So what will be your next act?

Whatever it may be, know there is a difference between “purpose” and “a purpose”.

Purpose is sometimes portrayed as one all-consuming passion. You may not all be Greta Thunbergs, but you can find a purpose in everything you do.

Being a good friend. A good student. A good worker. A good mother or father. Someone who cares and gets involved in their community.

Purpose is not a single act.

Finally, be kind to one another. Seek what brings us together as humans, and eschew those that divide and remember you belong to each other. Do better than our generation has done.

Above all, whatever your next act in life, make it a purposeful and happy one.

And if I really was Oprah, “you win a mask, and you win a mask and you win a mask…”

Two girls graduating