Graduation Speech: Sit Down and Shut Up :: Graduation Speech, Commencement Address

Hi everyone, and congratulations to all the seniors for successfully completing the first phase of your life. We are all now independent and must look to the future. Everyone will go their separate ways, whether that be attending college, getting a job or traveling the world. While the members of our senior class may be taking drastically different paths, one goal is common to us all. That goal is to achieve success. There is not a person graduating today who does not want to succeed in the rest of their life, at least I hope not. So we all want to succeed, but what is success? Some people look for success and happiness by achieving great things in their careers. Others look for it by amassing material wealth and money, finding the best-looking partner or gaining power and recognition. Still others attempt to gain a sense of happiness and well being by going to the best parties and living wildly. While these things might seem to be good, fun or rewarding at first, those feelings will always be temporary and leave you feeling dissatisfied. Picture this, two old men are lying in a hospital within hours of death. One man is a multi-millionaire and once seemed to be very successful in life. He lived the high life and got whatever he wanted, but now he has no family or friends with him in his final moments and he is scared to death of dying. The second man is not rich, but he was always kind and lived a life of integrity. Loved ones and friends surround him, and he faces death with no fear, since he is right with God and his eternal future is secure. While the first man might have seemed better off from outward appearances, it was the second one who experienced true happiness and success. In order for us to live life to the fullest, we must force ourselves to change our priorities. While it is natural to be selfish and put oneself first, true joy and love will be found only when God and others are treated more importantly than oneself.