Graduation

There will be blind alleys and one-night wonders and soul-crushing jobs and wake-up calls and crises of confidence and moments of transcendence when you are walking down the street and someone will thank you for telling your story because it resonated with their own.

I learned that unlikely events — the things we say could never happen to us — happen all the time, because there are so many possible unlikely events that a few of them will happen.

The art of medicine means telling someone what they may already know at some deep non-verbal level, something they may fear or vaguely anticipate, and communicating that something in a way that offers insight and compassion.

Graduates, you're on your own. Figure it out. I believe in you. Believe in yourselves! The world is starving for new leadership, new ideas.

An answer can only be as good as the question asked.

'Wait, what' is at the root of all understanding. 'I wonder' is at the heart of all curiosity. 'Couldn't we at least' is the beginning of all progress. 'How can I help' is at the base of all good relationships. And 'what really matters' gets you to the heart of life.

And did you get what you wanted out of life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved. To feel beloved on the earth.

If you calm down, you will know what your instincts are telling you and you'll know which way, right or wrong, that you must proceed.

I could do things my way, even if that was a way that no one had ever done before or would ever care to do again. It was valid and unique and ultimately viable.

Just please be honest with yourself about what you think and how you feel about all of that, what you like and dislike, what angers you or scares you or saddens you or inspires you, or delights you. Those feelings are called your instincts, and you ignore them at your own peril.

Don't be so focused in your plans that you are unwilling to consider the unexpected. The most exciting parts of your life aren't even on your radar screen.

Knowing who you are is the compass that will help guide you to unexpected opportunity or when a setback blows your way. Knowing who you are is the centerboard that will help steady you when you're afraid you may capsize.