Graduation (and everyday) Advice

I had lunch with some friends a few weeks ago. One has a daughter who is graduating from college w/ a teaching degree and freaked out about finding a job. Totally understandable! One of the other girls mentioned that she still had a speech from when she graduated about getting ready for the "real world". I think that this is not only appropriate for recent grads, but for everyone. You never know what life may bring. Enjoy! (thanks Jentry for sharing & summerizing!!)

1. YOUR LIFE WILL BE A CATASTROPHE. It may already be a catastrophe, or it soon will. Every time it looks like it might calm down....it will dive into catastrophe-ness again. This is how it should be...catastrophe is good. Learn to accept the chaos of life. Catastrophe is the norm. Dive in and embrace it.

2. YOUR BODY. Take care of it. One fall, one car crash, one disease triggered by stress can deter your body. Exercise, floss, sleep. Don't drive drunk. Your body is your own personal mecca. You can't replace it.

3. CHOOSE YOUR MATE WISELY. Try and pick the right one. Because with the wrong mate nothing in your life will seem right. Even if you pick the right one....you will have moments spent wondering if you picked the wrong one. Don't marry for money. Don't marry for looks. Find someone who compliments you. Figure out what you can and can't deal with. Most importantly...find a mate you can help you navigate through the catastrophes of life together.

4. CHILDREN. Some people can't have them, other people have them and don't want them. If you decide to have children, do so when it is a choice. You can choose your job, where you live and even your spouse....but you can't take away being a parent. Kids can be a catastrophe. Not having kids can be a catastrophe. Figure out which catastrophic path you want to take. Enjoy yourself and your spouse before having kids. Make sure you are mentally, emotionally and financially prepared.

5. LOVE YOUR WORK. Find a job that pays the bills and feeds your soul. If you love your job, then you will succeed. If you hate your job, then you will struggle. Find something that you love. Follow your heart and intuition....don't let the voices of others persuade you.

6. OUR BRAINS ARE CATASTROPHES. Learn how to think. Exercise control over how and what you think. Be conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to. See through the clutter in your brain to figure out what is most important.

7. SIMPLE STUBBORNNESS CAN TAKE YOU A LONG WAY. You don't need smarts or money or wisdom as much as you need stubbornness. Know what you want and don't give up. Stay true to yourself and the goals you have set for your life. But be prepared to meet a catastrophe or two along the way. Don't accept defeat....keep at it.

8. YOU WILL MEET FAILURE. You will meet disappointment, injustice, betrayal and loss. You will find you're weak where you thought you were strong. You will have times when you feel alone and afraid. You will be uncertain, and that's okay.

9. YOU CAN'T DOWNLOAD CREATIVITY OR PASSION. Not all the answers on are the web. Listen to your inner voice and your heart. Consider opinions of those closest to you, but don't let them solve your problems. Be there for others the way you would want them to be there for you. Help others through their personal catastrophes and learn from that experience. You're great the way you are....don't let others hinder that. Especially your laptop.

10. YOU DO NEED TO BE OF CONSEQUENCE. Otherwise you will be depressed. Find causes you are passionate about. Live a life of purpose. Stick up for what you think is right. Defend others. Believe in the ethical bend of the human heart; believe in curiosity; believe in the power of beauty. Live a life that is honest and true, raw and real, honorable. Think beyond yourself and be of some good use.

Now go forth and embrace your own chaotic mess. Embrace the catastrophes that intrude your life. And when you find that your eyes hurt from reading reports, and your butt hurts from sitting in meetings, and your blood pressure is high because you've been dealing with a bunch of morons, and your kids (if you have them) are crying.....look inside yourself and say "Ah! That's the full catastrophe! I recognize it and it is good!".