Betty White
Take time to give thanks
amid graduation excitementExcitement abounds for high school seniors as graduation day arrives, but this moment also calls for reflection and gratitude.
To the exuberant graduates, this important day belongs not just to you but to all those who helped you arrive here. There have been many who joined you on this journey; many have taught you, coached you and prayed daily for your success and happiness. Share the joy of this graduation day with all of them!
Give thanks to your parents who have a unique double vision. They not only see the graduate in gowned glory, they are remembering 18 years of snapshots in your life: taking your first steps, balancing yourself on your first bicycle and driving alone for the first time. Your parents' hearts are bursting with how much they love you, how much they enjoyed your growing-up years, and how much they will miss you. More than anyone else, your parents have taught you honor and responsibility.
Feel safe in their love, proud in their company and ready to go forth in the world in their absence. Fashion, control and own your lives with the great joy you feel in your hearts. Use your excellent education to paint great works of art, teach our children, organize our businesses, build our airports and space stations, discover medical miracles and shape our government.
But remember that when your less-than-stellar actions bring on confrontation, to relax and control your frustration. It will not be the first time you create a difficult situation, and it will not be the last. If you will lay aside any traces of arrogance and practice humility in your relationships, trouble and wrongful behavior will rarely visit you.
The world today is not perfect, nor is it always kind or fair. Yet, it is still beautiful, and you can help shape its beauty day by day with the strength of your convictions. Perhaps you can even make it better. You will be a part of your generation of doctors and lawyers, engineers and historians, scientists and teachers, musicians, dancers, athletes, artists and administrators, journalists and computer scientists. You must strive to attain and maintain your own success and happiness by paying attention to the world around you and to the needs of other human beings.
The tragedies of war during the past few months have heightened your awareness and have shown you the sometimes-hidden goodness in those around you. You learned it was acceptable to pray in public. You rediscovered the reality that God does indeed bless America. You opened your eyes to all we share in common with people of the world regardless of race, color or creed. These lessons have made all of us better people, and have made you, the class of 2003, more prepared than ever to face the challenges, the joys and the surprises that life brings to us.
Graduates, go forward with courage and in peace, knowing that your teachers, friends and parents believe in you. We still walk with you but no longer lead you. You are now ready to take firm steps forward, guided by the values we have shared with you over the years. May your life's journey be filled with joy, love and happiness in all that is right and good.
Betty White is the principal of Sacred Hearts Academy, the largest all-girl school in Hawaii.
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