We are all much more similar than we are different. We're all just looking for food, and love, and meaning.
speech graduation empathy
Kumail Nanjiani
Grinnell College Commencement 2017, 2017
When big decisions pop up, get quiet, real quiet and listen. Turn off your phone, turn off your computer and listen to your true heart. Hear the thing that makes you feel sick with excitement and scares you because you know you will learn — and do that thing.
speech graduation follow your heart
Rashida Jones
Harvard University Class Day 2016, 2016
Gear yourself for the long haul. Success, however small, however incomplete, success is still success. Better is good. It may not be perfect, it may not be great, but it's good. That's how progress happens.
speech graduation perseverance
Barack Obama
Rutgers University Commencement 2016, 2016
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.
speech graduation authenticity
Hank Azaria
Tufts University Commencement 2016, 2016
There is one measure of civilization and it comes down to how people treat each other. Kindness is the basic ingredient.
speech graduation empathy
William Foege
Emory University Commencement 2016, 2016
You are not born with a fixed amount of resilience. Like a muscle, you can build it up, draw on it when you need it. In that process, you will figure out who you really are — and you just might become the very best version of yourself.
speech graduation resilience
Sheryl Sandberg
UC Berkeley Commencement, 2016, 2016
Just to be here, you guys sacrificed and left behind your family, your friends, and your social circles, and started over again from scratch. At your age, even the smallest ripple in a social circle can cause an emotional tidal wave.
speech graduation courage
John Cena
Cushing Academy Commencement 2015, 2015
Every day, wake up and say to yourself, this little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine.
speech graduation courage
Ed Helms
University of Virginia Commencement 2015, 2015
Half of what you have belongs to those who need it. If you're successful, make the people around you successful.
speech graduation pay it forward
Paul Saginaw
University of Michigan Commencement 2015, 2015
Generosity leads to joy. It's simple and it's guaranteed.
speech graduation gratitude
Paul Saginaw
University of Michigan Commencement 2015, 2015
I learned early that my meaning had to be from the experience of making the film and the possibility of connecting with individuals, rather than the foremost trophies in my industry — financial and critical success.
speech graduation passion
Natalie Portman
Harvard Senior Class Day 2015, 2015
There will be times when your best is not enough. There can be many reasons for this, but as long as you give your best, you'll be okay.
speech graduation resilience
Robert De Niro
NYU Tisch School of the Arts Commencement 2015, 2015