I want to give a college graduation speech someday, ideally, at my alma mater, Wake Forest University. There my life and mind changed. But any college anywhere would be great.
I want to do this because I believe I would have a lot of honest insights to share with the students. I was one of the students who struggled as an undergraduate academically, socially, and psychologically.
I felt the pain of feeling intellectually inferior. I got some bad grades. I also had some triumphs, sometimes getting As in classes. And I finished on time in four years with two academic majors.
After leaving college I’ve had a wealth of disappointments and rejections. I haven’t succeeded to the levels I thought I would. I’m not – and never will be – the president of some big company.
But there have been meaningful accomplishments: two master’s degrees, a few promotions, three wonderful kids who I couldn’t be more proud of, and some business awards. I’m compelled to talk about all this to a graduating class.
In the hopes of one day being invited to do this, and because I enjoy listening to them, I’ve watched a lot of college graduation speeches.
This being May I’ve been cycling through these speeches on YouTube looking for words of wisdom, a new angle, something to lift me up and make me understand the meaning of life better.
I’ve seen several good ones. But I kept watching until I found one that really stood out and seemed worthy of sharing with you. Tonight I landed on the one I think will move you more than all the others.
It happens to have been given just a few weeks ago at the University of Florida by Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. If you want to see a guy who speaks from the heart – and who has a big heart – and has zero phoniness about him, watch this speech.
He connects with the audience more viscerally than all the other commencement speakers I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t read from a script; he talks from his soul. You can tell he believes every word he’s saying and you know he really cares about those graduating seniors.
His major point is so important for those students and the rest of us: We can all be successful in life but we won’t be fulfilled if what we do is not significant. And being significant means helping other people, giving them passion, inspiring them to have more hope, lending a hand, and hugging them.
Enjoy this masterpiece. Tebow’s message is timeless, his presentation riveting. The overall effect is profound and will stay with you.
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Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
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