Congratulations Grads of 2015

I had the opportunity to speak at a grad banquet this week.  Not only did I get to address a great bunch of Grads my oldest son was in the mix!

I am very proud of this young man!  As high school comes to a close he plans on heading to university next year to take business and account over the next four years. He has worked through high school on The Dean's List, worked at McDonald's and played Rugby. May he be blessed and prosper in all he does.  You're Momma loves you, child! I'll love you forever; I'll like you for always as long as I'm living my baby you'll be. xo

Josiah Leavitt Class of 2015 

I had hoped to impart some wisdom to these young people at the banquet and I thought just perhaps it's we all need to be reminded of the basics!

You are getting the non-edited to blog version...it's as if you were there.

Let Wisdom Guide You

First, let me say CONGRATULATIONS to all the graduates.

My son, Josiah, told me I wasn’t allowed to use him for stories or illustrations tonight so this should be short.   –just kidding, maybe.

As one chapter of your life is coming to a close you are on the threshold of something great and wonderful.  Allow me to take a few moments to share some wisdom with you that will hopefully influence you in the years to come. 

1 Take advice from those, that went before you.

Proverbs 6: 20 (GWT)

My son/daughter, obey the command of your father and do not disregard the teachings of your mother.

I know there was probably a collective inward moan from every young person here tonight.  Seriously, you are going to talk about listening to my parents.  Not exactly, let's broaden the scope to all adults in your personal circle.  Here's the truth we adults have been there before you, we've made mistakes and probably more than once.

Let’s have a show of hands how many here tonight over the age of 25 have made a mistake before? And show of hands how many over the age of 25 have made more than one? -just as I thought! 

There you have it you are in the midst of mistake makers any advice we give, we give in hope that you don't have to make the same mistakes we did. 

Life isn't simple there is a lot of choices you are going to be making as you graduate and start this journey to adulthood.  Don't try to solve everything on your own.  Ask us we are here, we want to help. 

We aren't perfect but by God's grace perhaps we can guide you and help you make life decisions that will lead to a long and happy future.  People say the only way you learn is by making your own mistakes.  I say HOW SMART ARE YOU if you can learn from someone else’s mistakes and not make them yourself. 

2 Accept full responsibility for your behavior.

Galatians 6:5(GWT)

Assume your own responsibility. (You reap what you sow)

This is very basic and simplistic.

Allow me to read to you something from ―Maya Angelou, Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now

“Although nature has proven season in and season out that if the thing that is planted bears at all, it will yield more of itself, there are those who seem certain that if they plant tomato seeds, at harvest time they can reap onions.

Too many times for comfort I have expected to reap good when I know I have sown evil. My lame excuse is that I have not always known that actions can only reproduce themselves, or rather, I have not always allowed myself to be aware of that knowledge. Now, after years of observation and enough courage to admit what I have observed, I try to plant peace if I do not want discord; to plant loyalty and honesty if I want to avoid betrayal and lies.

Of course, there is no absolute assurance that those things I plant will always fall upon the arable land and will take root and grow, nor can I know if another cultivator did not leave contrary seeds before I arrived. I do know, however, that if I leave little to chance, if I am careful about the kinds of seeds I plant, about their potency and nature, I can, within reason, trust my expectations.”

Some wise words from Maya Angelou, chances are good you will reap what you sow; make sure that what you plant is what you want out of life. 

3 Be prepared to work & succeed on your own merits.

Proverbs 6:6-8(GWT)

Consider the ant . . . watch its ways, and become wise.
Although it has no overseer, officer, or ruler, in summertime it stores its food supply.
At harvest time it gathers its food.

Don't be a jobber waiting every week for your Pay Cheque. Don't feel like the world owes you anything.  Succeed on your own merit.

I will give you an example of my brother and his partners.  My brother went to Ottawa at 19 with nothing, took a welding course and with perseverance, hard work and commitment he made an amazing life for himself over the next 40 years. Bill & his partner Frank together created Fortran steel. They worked long hours and always well into the night. The days were spent fabricating and nights installing. They were always supported and well fed by their wives who would often bring them their dinners on site.  All four of these individuals knew what it was to work hard for something.   After they incorporated in 1983 they added another partner Dave & his wife Joanne.  Everyone’s goal was to make Fortran Steel something great. From making railings in a single home garage to now fabricating some of the largest structural steel projects in Ottawa, It's safe to say they have succeeded their dreams. They didn’t accomplish that by being slackers they shared their blood, sweat, and tears and created something great. Many workers have come and gone from Fortran Steel but you would be surprised at those that have made it a career, some have been there almost as long as Billy, Frank, and Dave.  They have chosen to make their job a career.  They are an amazing crowd.  When I was visiting the shop a couple of weeks ago one of the employees said to me I loved your brother, I jokingly said you have to say that to me.  He said no I really did I named my son after him.  Obviously, that man though not a partner has made Fortran Steel his career, so much so that he bonded with his bosses enough to name his son after one of them.

So I say whatever you decide to do, do it with your whole heart.  If you go to college or university study hard If you chose to work for yourself or someone else works as if the whole company is riding on how you do your job, don’t be a slacker.  Whatever you chose to make it a career, not a job.  

Ability is what you’re capable of doing.  Motivation determines what you do. AND Attitude determines how well you do it. 

4 Be kind and be a leader.

Proverbs 31:8-9(GWT)

“Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.
Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people.”

Be fair and unafraid to speak up. Don't worry about pleasing “the cool” crowd.  Stand out in all you do. 

Carrie Kerpen wrote in an article about one of her favorite companies, Belfor.   They are known for their kindness.  They are a worldwide leader in disaster recovery and property restoration. They focus on being the absolute BEST in their category. But they are also incredibly kind and build that into the company’s DNA. One of their mottoes is: “Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”  You see this culture of kindness funnel through every aspect of the organization . . . the kindness that Sheldon Yellen, BELFOR’s CEO, showed on the hit show Undercover Boss kept with this theme. BELFOR walks the walk and talks the talk–while simultaneously being focused on being number one in their category. Their success comes from a desire to win and the commitment to be kind.

Make that part of your DNA, you can be successful and still be nice.  Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

5 Be a lover, not a hater.

Luke 10:27(GWT)

. . . Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.

John 13:34(GWT)

I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you.

In a world of haters take the chance to stand out as a lover.  I know you have heard it before but it bears telling you again God loves you.  He wants to be there for you and to be your guiding force.  That same love and care he wants to pour into you he wants you, in turn, to pour it into others.  Don't worry about the actions of others; be worried about how you act.  The world would tell you to treat others exactly how they treat you. God says to treat others how you want to be treated.  Our world is constantly full of people hating on each other wouldn’t it be nice if you stood out as someone who loved everyone and treated them well.

It's not just about being good and being nice and loving people it's also about truly loving God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and all your mind, loving Him as he loves us.

So if I can leave you with one thing as you go out into the world be the best you, you can possibly be.