The most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity and not to give in to peer pressure to try to be something that you're not, to live your life as an honest and compassionate person, to contribute in some way.
speech graduation authenticity
Ellen DeGeneres
Tulane University Commencement 2009, 2009
Really when I look back on it, I wouldn't change a thing. I mean, it was so important for me to lose everything because I found out what the most important thing is — to be true to yourself.
speech graduation authenticity
Ellen DeGeneres
Tulane University Commencement 2009, 2009
A new vision of the American dream that says achieving balance in your life is more important than the balance in your checking account.
speech graduation balance
Chris Gardner
UC Berkeley Commencement 2009, 2009
Do not confuse your net worth with your self-worth.
speech graduation humility
Chris Gardner
UC Berkeley Commencement 2009, 2009
A lot of other folk will tell you that the sky is falling. I will not tell you that the sky is falling. I will say that those are pennies from heaven. Because I've seen this movie before and I know how it turns out.
speech graduation resilience
Chris Gardner
UC Berkeley Commencement 2009, 2009
Success doesn't come from a high IQ or innate talent. It takes a willingness to work hard. There is just no substitute for hard work and relentless preparation.
speech graduation discipline
Jerry Yang
University of Hawaii Commencement 2009, 2009
You shouldn't be afraid to let passion get behind the wheel — you might really love where you end up.
speech graduation passion
Jerry Yang
University of Hawaii Commencement 2009, 2009
You don't need the answers today. Your job is to walk out into the unknown and see what happens. Take your time, learn and enjoy something from each job, layer it on, and then pass it along so others can benefit from your wisdom.
speech graduation patience
Jerry Yang
University of Hawaii Commencement 2009, 2009
We push ourselves through the week to get to the weekend. We have become 2/7ths people, only really living 2 days out of the 7 in a week. Things can be different. We can become 7/7ths people. And thereby become whole.
speech graduation balance
Jonathan Youshaei
Deerfield High School Commencement 2009, 2009
Failure will teach you things that you can learn no place else. How else will you know yourself or the strength of your friendships until both have been tested by adversity?
speech graduation failure
Jonathan Youshaei
Deerfield High School Commencement 2009, 2009
In the end, life is about the big and small things. The 'A' on the exam and the car-ride conversations, the game-winning touchdown and the 'Hi' in the hallway. What we view as the smaller things are the more important things.
speech graduation gratitude
Jonathan Youshaei
Deerfield High School Commencement 2009, 2009
Trust yourself. Dig deep down and ask yourselves, who do you want to be? Not what, but who.
speech graduation authenticity
Arnold Schwarzenegger
University of Southern California Commencement 2009, 2009