Trees, as it turns out, grow out of the air, not out of the ground! That is a beautiful thing to contemplate. And getting the special glasses that allow me to look at the world this way, well for me, that is a really good reason that I went to college.
speech graduation wonder
Emir Kamenica
Shepherd University Commencement 2014, 2014
Being in nature gave me an unbelievable confidence in myself. I found a beauty, strength, and an inner peace that I never knew was present.
speech graduation nature
Stephen R. Kellert
University of Western Sydney Commencement 2013, 2013
Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature.
speech graduation nature
Stephen R. Kellert
University of Western Sydney Commencement 2013, 2013
We went to the moon to explore it, but in fact, we discovered Earth for the first time.
speech graduation science
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Rice University Commencement 2013, 2013
It is an incredibly exciting thing, this one meaningless life of yours.
speech graduation mortality
Tim Minchin
University of Western Australia Commencement, 2013, 2013
The World that Ought to Be is that which is already embedded in our senses. God's hand touches us, even through the cold earth of death and despair.
speech graduation faith
Makoto Fujimura
Belhaven University Commencement 2011, 2011
We're all strapped in, seated together on a gigantic ball whirling around the sun at 67,000 miles per hour, nested in a galaxy hurtling through the depths of space and time at 1.3 million miles per hour.
speech graduation wonder
Kirk Schneider
San Francisco State University Commencement 2010, 2010
What if I told you that you are about to embark on a great adventure, that you will be given all the proper equipment for this adventure — food, clothing, shelter. And what if I told you further that you will have about eight decades to complete this adventure, and that every day you will be able to discover something new along your path.
speech graduation wonder
Kirk Schneider
San Francisco State University Commencement 2010, 2010
Leave the door open for the unknown, the door into the dark. That's where the most important things come from, where you yourself came from, and where you will go.
speech graduation courage
Sarah Heidt
Kenyon College Baccalaureate, 2010, 2010
The earth couldn't afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint.
speech graduation nature
Paul Hawken
University of Portland Commencement 2009, 2009
You are brilliant, and the earth is hiring. The earth couldn't afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint.
speech graduation purpose
Paul Hawken
University of Portland Commencement, 2009, 2009
The corollary to carpe diem is gratitude — gratitude for simply being alive, for having a day to seize. The taking of breath, the beating of the heart.
speech graduation gratitude
Billy Collins
Colorado College Commencement 2008, 2008