The History of The History of This GenerationThis Generation

FeracoFeraco

Search for Human PotentialSearch for Human Potential

26 January 201226 January 2012

• Note: I try to have different end-of-semester Note: I try to have different end-of-semester speeches for both the fall and spring. (The speeches for both the fall and spring. (The second one is a lot harder to write than the first, second one is a lot harder to write than the first, because I feel like I have to top myself for the because I feel like I have to top myself for the sake of the students who have had me before.) sake of the students who have had me before.)

• I first wrote a variation of this speech at the end I first wrote a variation of this speech at the end of 2008’s fall semester. Unbeknownst to me, of 2008’s fall semester. Unbeknownst to me, Malcolm Gladwell had published Malcolm Gladwell had published OutliersOutliers, a book , a book that covered the same topic in much the same that covered the same topic in much the same manner, two months earlier. He sold millions of manner, two months earlier. He sold millions of copies, and when I read the book, I was struck copies, and when I read the book, I was struck both by envy (if only I’d had the idea a year both by envy (if only I’d had the idea a year earlier!) and the surreal feeling that I’d earlier!) and the surreal feeling that I’d plagiarized something I’d never read before. plagiarized something I’d never read before.

• If this feels a little familiar…my apologies. But If this feels a little familiar…my apologies. But it’s mine.it’s mine.

If James Naismith never invents If James Naismith never invents basketball…does Kobe Bryant lead basketball…does Kobe Bryant lead an irrelevant life? an irrelevant life?

Kobe’s father, Joe Bryant, played Kobe’s father, Joe Bryant, played professional basketball for years, professional basketball for years, even continuing his career in Italy even continuing his career in Italy

after leaving the NBA. after leaving the NBA.

When he moved, his young son moved When he moved, his young son moved with him. with him.

By going with his father, Kobe learned By going with his father, Kobe learned to cope with the pressures to cope with the pressures

associated with fame at a young age, associated with fame at a young age, learned to absorb the nuances of learned to absorb the nuances of

other cultures and languages, other cultures and languages, learned to be flexible; he grew up on learned to be flexible; he grew up on

hardwood, surrounded by sneaker hardwood, surrounded by sneaker squeaks and the smell of sweat.squeaks and the smell of sweat.

In other words, Kobe was prepared for In other words, Kobe was prepared for a larger stage, the stage that shakes a larger stage, the stage that shakes the confidence of everyone who the confidence of everyone who ascends to it, long before the time ascends to it, long before the time came for him to take it. came for him to take it.

And when the opportunity came for And when the opportunity came for him to rise, he him to rise, he seizedseized it. it.

But if Joe Bryant never plays But if Joe Bryant never plays professional basketball, Kobe never professional basketball, Kobe never

goes overseas. goes overseas.

How differently, one wonders, does How differently, one wonders, does Joe raise his son if he pursues a Joe raise his son if he pursues a

different career? different career?

How does Kobe’s life change when How does Kobe’s life change when he’s not handed the same he’s not handed the same opportunities, when he’s spending opportunities, when he’s spending all of those on-the-court hours all of those on-the-court hours somewheresomewhere else with else with someonesomeone else else doing doing somethingsomething else? else?

Look back to 1892. Look back to 1892.

James Naismith invents the sport James Naismith invents the sport because he decides to throw balls because he decides to throw balls

into peach baskets one day. into peach baskets one day.

The game was so roughly sketched The game was so roughly sketched that Naismith hadn’t even decided to that Naismith hadn’t even decided to cut the bottom out of the basket yet; cut the bottom out of the basket yet; the defense needed to climb up and the defense needed to climb up and

fetch the ball out of the basket every fetch the ball out of the basket every time it gave up points (which, you time it gave up points (which, you have to admit, is a special kind of have to admit, is a special kind of

humiliation).humiliation).

That’sThat’s where Kobe’s future starts; it where Kobe’s future starts; it lies rooted in those ancient seeds, in lies rooted in those ancient seeds, in the genius of a dead Canadian man the genius of a dead Canadian man he never met.he never met.

And what if Naismith didn’t invent the And what if Naismith didn’t invent the game that year? game that year?

What if, on the day he should have What if, on the day he should have made that first shot, he chose to made that first shot, he chose to

spend time with friends instead? spend time with friends instead?

What if he decided to sit and sleep What if he decided to sit and sleep under the shade of a Georgian peach under the shade of a Georgian peach

tree? tree?

What if he went to work and stayed What if he went to work and stayed late; what if he kept going to work late; what if he kept going to work and staying late?and staying late?

What if he never invented his What if he never invented his beautiful game?beautiful game?

Now, if James Naismith never invents Now, if James Naismith never invents basketball, maybe Kobe becomes an basketball, maybe Kobe becomes an

awesome soccer player.awesome soccer player.

But he was born on August 23rd. But he was born on August 23rd.

He probably would have just slipped He probably would have just slipped through the cracks. through the cracks.

In fact, I’m willing to bet that if James In fact, I’m willing to bet that if James Naismith never invents basketball, Naismith never invents basketball,

we never learn Kobe Bryant’s name. we never learn Kobe Bryant’s name.

What would Kobe be doing if that What would Kobe be doing if that game had never been invented?game had never been invented?

If nobody felt a thrill at the sight of If nobody felt a thrill at the sight of someone throwing a ball into a hole someone throwing a ball into a hole

ten feet in the sky?ten feet in the sky?

If nobody decided it would be a good If nobody decided it would be a good idea to pay someone to do just that, idea to pay someone to do just that, to financially compensate someone to financially compensate someone for that bizarre skill?for that bizarre skill?

Maybe he just becomes some white-Maybe he just becomes some white-collar worker in a skyscraper collar worker in a skyscraper

somewhere instead. somewhere instead.

Maybe he becomes a nameless person Maybe he becomes a nameless person you stand next to on a bus – a tall you stand next to on a bus – a tall nameless person, to be sure nameless person, to be sure (although who says his mother’s the (although who says his mother’s the same person if Joe never plays?), but same person if Joe never plays?), but someone you never speak to someone you never speak to because he’s just an Ordinary, because he’s just an Ordinary, Anonymous, and Unremarkable Guy. Anonymous, and Unremarkable Guy.

(We’re all OAUGs at one point or (We’re all OAUGs at one point or another.)another.)

Maybe he’s just a guy who passes Maybe he’s just a guy who passes through life without stopping to live. through life without stopping to live.

And maybe the world never knows And maybe the world never knows what it’s missing. what it’s missing.

Maybe the world never stops to Maybe the world never stops to wonder about any of the infinite wonder about any of the infinite possibilities that pass unrealized possibilities that pass unrealized

every day when people are too busy, every day when people are too busy, lazy or scared to form dreams and lazy or scared to form dreams and chase them, when people are too chase them, when people are too poor, hungry, and tired to chase poor, hungry, and tired to chase them without help they’ll never them without help they’ll never

receive and lessons they’re never receive and lessons they’re never offered, and when people never offered, and when people never know they have opportunities to know they have opportunities to succeed because no one noticed succeed because no one noticed

them, no one had faith in them, and them, no one had faith in them, and no one fought for them.no one fought for them.

How many Kobes have we missed over How many Kobes have we missed over the numberless centuries, fading the numberless centuries, fading

into obsolescence like so many into obsolescence like so many cracked stone tablets or burned cracked stone tablets or burned

pages of poetry? pages of poetry?

How many Kobes have lived and died How many Kobes have lived and died without recognizing the incredible without recognizing the incredible

depths of their own potential?depths of their own potential?

How many Kobes have led ordinary How many Kobes have led ordinary lives, lived as men instead of as lives, lived as men instead of as legends, never walking on air legends, never walking on air just just because they never knew they because they never knew they could?could?

Your life takes the shape you make, Your life takes the shape you make, but your ability to shape it depends but your ability to shape it depends

on what you can access.on what you can access.

The choices we make, the The choices we make, the opportunities we seize, the opportunities we seize, the

connections we form – all of these connections we form – all of these “shapers” depend on us, our “shapers” depend on us, our

circumstances, and those around us, circumstances, and those around us, as well as how the three interact. as well as how the three interact.

Kobe Bryant walks on the sky because Kobe Bryant walks on the sky because he can – but he he can – but he can can because he because he

learned the game from an expert, learned the game from an expert, grew up in the company of grew up in the company of

professionals, and trained perfectly professionals, and trained perfectly for the moment he assumed all along for the moment he assumed all along

would be his. would be his.

Take those away, and there’s no Take those away, and there’s no telling what happens. telling what happens.

The lesson, of course, is to resist the The lesson, of course, is to resist the easy assumption that you already easy assumption that you already

know what you should be, and that know what you should be, and that you already know your limits.you already know your limits.

For all you know, your career hasn’t For all you know, your career hasn’t been invented, or your calling hasn’t been invented, or your calling hasn’t

been established.been established.

Perhaps your opportunity already Perhaps your opportunity already awaits, waiting for you to outstrip awaits, waiting for you to outstrip

predecessors you may not even predecessors you may not even know. know.

(Without Naismith, Kobe never flies; (Without Naismith, Kobe never flies; without Gates, Allen, and Jobs, without Gates, Allen, and Jobs, Sergey Brin and Larry Page never Sergey Brin and Larry Page never invent Google; without Pasteur, invent Google; without Pasteur, Jonas Salk never invents a polio Jonas Salk never invents a polio vaccine.)vaccine.)

But the polio vaccine wasn’t But the polio vaccine wasn’t developed by uncaring hands, developed by uncaring hands,

Google wasn’t an accident, and Google wasn’t an accident, and every shot that leaves Kobe’s hands every shot that leaves Kobe’s hands

is directed at a specific target. is directed at a specific target.

All of the accomplishments mentioned All of the accomplishments mentioned above are the byproduct of people above are the byproduct of people reaching for greatness, but also reaching for greatness, but also staying true to themselves.staying true to themselves.

We’ve spoken so often about how our We’ve spoken so often about how our morals and actions influence our morals and actions influence our

happiness, about how our goals give happiness, about how our goals give us purpose – bulls-eyes for our souls’ us purpose – bulls-eyes for our souls’

arrows.arrows.

I introduced that simple concept – that I introduced that simple concept – that you have to chase what you want you have to chase what you want

because life is too short for passivity because life is too short for passivity – and reinforced it with every piece – and reinforced it with every piece

of content I chose for our curriculum.of content I chose for our curriculum.

I tried to make you see the world as I tried to make you see the world as Proust did after seeing Chardin’s Proust did after seeing Chardin’s

painting – to see how much beauty painting – to see how much beauty lay around you. lay around you.

And with that in mind, I wanted to And with that in mind, I wanted to take ten minutes today, on our last take ten minutes today, on our last day, to urge those of you who dream day, to urge those of you who dream (and those of you who go through (and those of you who go through the motions) to stop, look around, the motions) to stop, look around, and realize what surrounds you. and realize what surrounds you.

The landscape is undoubtedly mixed – The landscape is undoubtedly mixed – a cloud for every ray of sunshine, a a cloud for every ray of sunshine, a crumbling economy facing every job crumbling economy facing every job

seeker and college applicant, a seeker and college applicant, a rapidly approaching expiration date rapidly approaching expiration date for many of the bonds you’ve forged for many of the bonds you’ve forged

and valued over the years.and valued over the years.

But the point is not to get lost in But the point is not to get lost in negatives; rather, I’ve tried to teach negatives; rather, I’ve tried to teach you how to think about yourself in a you how to think about yourself in a

new way, to cope with negatives new way, to cope with negatives more healthily and enjoy the myriad more healthily and enjoy the myriad

positives life offers more thoroughly.positives life offers more thoroughly.

In short, I’ve spent this semester In short, I’ve spent this semester trying to help you lead what trying to help you lead what

Socrates, who urged those who’d Socrates, who urged those who’d move the world to move themselves, move the world to move themselves,

treasured most – a balanced, treasured most – a balanced, examined life. examined life.

When my senior classes concluded When my senior classes concluded during my first year at Arcadia High, during my first year at Arcadia High, I offered my original students ten I offered my original students ten pieces of advice about how to handle pieces of advice about how to handle graduation, departure, and new graduation, departure, and new beginnings. beginnings.

I’ve looked back at them each year I’ve looked back at them each year and felt they were worth sharing and felt they were worth sharing

again; I did the same this year, and again; I did the same this year, and felt the same way. felt the same way.

These aren’t just any ten pieces of These aren’t just any ten pieces of advice; they were my best attempt, advice; they were my best attempt,

five years removed from high school five years removed from high school graduation, to look back at what I graduation, to look back at what I

knew when I was 18, and what I knew when I was 18, and what I wished someone had told me at the wished someone had told me at the

time.time.

So here they are; you can feel free to So here they are; you can feel free to take or leave any of these, to take or leave any of these, to

highlight or reject any nugget you highlight or reject any nugget you please, or to take the whole shebang please, or to take the whole shebang

and tack it to your dorm wall. and tack it to your dorm wall.

1: Don’t take it personally if people 1: Don’t take it personally if people worry about you – because we will worry about you – because we will worry.worry.

You’re about to go through an intense You’re about to go through an intense period of transition; even those of period of transition; even those of you who will remain at home will you who will remain at home will need to make that final push into need to make that final push into

independent adulthood. independent adulthood.

People will worry because you’re People will worry because you’re entering an uncertain period; it’s a entering an uncertain period; it’s a symptom of their affection for you, symptom of their affection for you,

not their disrespect.not their disrespect.

After all, the way to love anything is After all, the way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost…and to realize that it might be lost…and

they are realizing, some of them they are realizing, some of them more slowly than others, that more slowly than others, that

they’re losing you.they’re losing you.

So don’t resent them for caring about So don’t resent them for caring about you – appreciate it for what it is.you – appreciate it for what it is.

2: Don’t dwell on the past so much 2: Don’t dwell on the past so much that you forget to live in the present.that you forget to live in the present.

Personally, I like to look back at my Personally, I like to look back at my memories from time to time; I figure memories from time to time; I figure that I’ll have a better sense of where that I’ll have a better sense of where

I’m going if I remember where I’m I’m going if I remember where I’m from. from.

But I spent too much time looking But I spent too much time looking backwards when I was a freshman in backwards when I was a freshman in

college.college.

I really loved the place where I grew I really loved the place where I grew up, and I had a great time in high up, and I had a great time in high school. school.

I was reluctant to leave, and didn’t I was reluctant to leave, and didn’t allow myself to make a clean break allow myself to make a clean break

for a variety of reasons. for a variety of reasons.

But my decision to cling to my recent But my decision to cling to my recent past didn’t really help me…it only past didn’t really help me…it only delayed my adjustment to life in a delayed my adjustment to life in a place where I didn’t know a single place where I didn’t know a single

person. person.

The realization that the past was the The realization that the past was the past, and that my friends would past, and that my friends would come of age in different ways in come of age in different ways in

different places, was difficult – but it different places, was difficult – but it was one of the most valuable lessons was one of the most valuable lessons

I ever learned. I ever learned.

I’m still friends with some of the I’m still friends with some of the people I was closest to during high people I was closest to during high school; they aren’t the “same” school; they aren’t the “same” people they used to be, but neither people they used to be, but neither am I, and that’s OK. am I, and that’s OK.

So love the people who matter to you So love the people who matter to you here, especially while you’re still here, especially while you’re still

here. here.

Don’t hold back for fear that your Don’t hold back for fear that your friendships will fade – that merely friendships will fade – that merely

ensures they will.ensures they will.

And when you get to a new place, And when you get to a new place, welcome the people you meet…for welcome the people you meet…for

the quest to shatter one’s loneliness the quest to shatter one’s loneliness doesn’t end when you leave home.doesn’t end when you leave home.

3: Age matters less than insight, 3: Age matters less than insight, wisdom, or courage. wisdom, or courage.

You’ll acquire each with time; You’ll acquire each with time; honestly, you’ve already acquired honestly, you’ve already acquired

your fair share. your fair share.

Do Do notnot be afraid to speak your mind, be afraid to speak your mind, even if you’re in a class of older, even if you’re in a class of older,

more experienced students.more experienced students.

Contrary to Henri Etienne, youth, at Contrary to Henri Etienne, youth, at times, times, doesdoes know. know.

And yes, you’re still young, but you’re And yes, you’re still young, but you’re about to learn a lot about yourself in about to learn a lot about yourself in an extremely compressed period of an extremely compressed period of time. time.

You’re crossing the subtle line from You’re crossing the subtle line from childhood to adulthood. childhood to adulthood.

You’ll need to build mental discipline, You’ll need to build mental discipline, and be willing to view yourself and be willing to view yourself

honestly, but – and I can’t stress this honestly, but – and I can’t stress this enough – this is one of the best enough – this is one of the best

opportunities for growth you’ll ever opportunities for growth you’ll ever have.have.

Define the moment; define Define the moment; define you.you.

4: Push yourself. 4: Push yourself.

I don’t necessarily mean “push I don’t necessarily mean “push yourself” in the academic sense, yourself” in the academic sense,

although it’s a pretty good idea to although it’s a pretty good idea to make the most out of an expensive make the most out of an expensive

education. education.

I mean that you should be willing to I mean that you should be willing to pick up new hobbies and discover pick up new hobbies and discover

new interests.new interests.

Try the things you’ve always wanted Try the things you’ve always wanted to try – sing in a choir, get politically to try – sing in a choir, get politically involved, host a radio show, write a involved, host a radio show, write a

novel in a month, etc. novel in a month, etc.

Specialization is for insects, right? Specialization is for insects, right?

There’s no reason not to try new There’s no reason not to try new things; if you decide it’s not for you, things; if you decide it’s not for you, you can stop (and no one will think you can stop (and no one will think

less of you for trying!).less of you for trying!).

And since you may pass through this And since you may pass through this life but once…well, no time for “it life but once…well, no time for “it

might have beens.”might have beens.”

Do not wait for a reason to be happy: Do not wait for a reason to be happy: make yourself worthy of it instead. make yourself worthy of it instead.

5. Don’t get caught up in the little 5. Don’t get caught up in the little things. things.

The little intrigues and scandals that The little intrigues and scandals that are hallmarks of high school life are hallmarks of high school life

don’t go away quickly, but don’t go away quickly, but appearance begins to matter less appearance begins to matter less than substance sooner than you than substance sooner than you

think. think.

If someone has a good heart, if you If someone has a good heart, if you enjoy someone’s company, if you’ll enjoy someone’s company, if you’ll be a better person if they’re part of be a better person if they’re part of your life, don’t be afraid to reach out your life, don’t be afraid to reach out and make a friend.and make a friend.

There’s nothing in the rulebook that There’s nothing in the rulebook that says you can’t be friendly or decent says you can’t be friendly or decent to other people – and if this makes to other people – and if this makes someone dislike you, that person someone dislike you, that person

probably isn’t someone you’ll want probably isn’t someone you’ll want to spend time with.to spend time with.

6: Have fun, but be careful. 6: Have fun, but be careful.

You’ll have opportunities to explore You’ll have opportunities to explore possibilities that simply weren’t possibilities that simply weren’t available to you as a high school available to you as a high school

student. student.

Always remember to think things Always remember to think things through, because every action has through, because every action has consequences. consequences.

It’s hard to think through every It’s hard to think through every decision, to consistently take the decision, to consistently take the

long view when the short term long view when the short term seems so attractive or fun – but it’s seems so attractive or fun – but it’s

time to start doing so. time to start doing so.

We do not, after all, always recognize We do not, after all, always recognize the good.the good.

People will frequently make stupid People will frequently make stupid decisions around you, and we’ve decisions around you, and we’ve

already seen how profoundly outside already seen how profoundly outside circumstances can shape the choices circumstances can shape the choices

one makes. one makes.

Just remember: you’re not a robot, Just remember: you’re not a robot, and you don’t need to automatically and you don’t need to automatically follow someone you don’t agree follow someone you don’t agree with. with.

Don’t live recklessly just because you Don’t live recklessly just because you understand the reality that you will understand the reality that you will “fall down” at some point – simply “fall down” at some point – simply make the commitment now to be a make the commitment now to be a

resilient and adaptable person when resilient and adaptable person when circumstances call for you to step circumstances call for you to step

up.up.

Yes, a man may only be as faithful as Yes, a man may only be as faithful as his options – but he’s the one who his options – but he’s the one who

chooses those options. chooses those options.

Choose well.Choose well.

7: Everybody – 7: Everybody – everybodyeverybody – hurts – hurts sometimes.sometimes.

It’s hard to shrug it off when someone It’s hard to shrug it off when someone doesn’t treat you well.doesn’t treat you well.

But we often aren’t aware of what But we often aren’t aware of what other people are going through, other people are going through,

don’t recognize when someone’s don’t recognize when someone’s barely hanging on.barely hanging on.

Don’t be quick to judge others; Don’t be quick to judge others; someone who snaps at you may be a someone who snaps at you may be a

jerk, but he or she may also be jerk, but he or she may also be reacting to something else.reacting to something else.

Remember, it’s impossible to live a life Remember, it’s impossible to live a life that never feels the bite of sadness, that never feels the bite of sadness, loss, failure, or disappointment. loss, failure, or disappointment.

And you’ll go through it yourself. And you’ll go through it yourself.

God doesn’t look you over for medals, God doesn’t look you over for medals, degrees, or diplomas: He looks for degrees, or diplomas: He looks for

scars. scars.

So you’ll know bruises; you’ll know So you’ll know bruises; you’ll know blessings.blessings.

You may form religions around some You may form religions around some pretty fallible gods and goddesses. pretty fallible gods and goddesses.

It’s part of growing, but it’s also part It’s part of growing, but it’s also part of living; every single one of your of living; every single one of your parents understands what I just parents understands what I just

listed. listed.

So don’t surrender when pain or So don’t surrender when pain or sadness descend; remember your sadness descend; remember your

own strength (and Kierkegaard), and own strength (and Kierkegaard), and remain faithful to yourself.remain faithful to yourself.

Don’t give in to worry, doubt, self-Don’t give in to worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear, or despair. distrust, fear, or despair.

If you’re going through hell, keep If you’re going through hell, keep going. going.

And have compassion for those And have compassion for those around you who might be going around you who might be going

through it too.through it too.

Caring may be a reflex, but it’s an Caring may be a reflex, but it’s an easy one to lose.easy one to lose.

Exercise it always.Exercise it always.

8: Greet the world – the academic, 8: Greet the world – the academic, cultural, and interpersonal ones cultural, and interpersonal ones

you’re entering – with an open mind you’re entering – with an open mind and an open heart. and an open heart.

A willingness to listen, learn, and A willingness to listen, learn, and analyze is one of the greatest analyze is one of the greatest qualities a man or woman can qualities a man or woman can possess. possess.

You have the right to listen to people You have the right to listen to people and ideas and decide whether you and ideas and decide whether you

agree. agree.

Don’t simply accept or reject things Don’t simply accept or reject things based on what you’ve heard, or even based on what you’ve heard, or even

what you were taught; take what you were taught; take advantage of your gifts and learn for advantage of your gifts and learn for

yourself.yourself.

Challenge. Challenge.

Stand. Stand.

Deliver.Deliver.

9: Always remember the wonderful 9: Always remember the wonderful things.things.

It’s so easy to forget everything that’s It’s so easy to forget everything that’s good in the world, and everything good in the world, and everything

that’s good in your life. that’s good in your life.

Every so often, I get so caught up in Every so often, I get so caught up in obsessing over drudgery that I obsessing over drudgery that I

forget to see the forest for the trees. forget to see the forest for the trees.

Instead of worrying about the crack in Instead of worrying about the crack in my windshield, I should be grateful I my windshield, I should be grateful I

can afford insurance for my car. can afford insurance for my car.

Instead of worrying about the way Instead of worrying about the way others see my friends and family, I others see my friends and family, I should be grateful I have people I should be grateful I have people I can call my own.can call my own.

And when I realize that I’ve taken And when I realize that I’ve taken these wonderful things for granted, I these wonderful things for granted, I try not to feel too guilty for the rest try not to feel too guilty for the rest of the day; I concentrate instead on of the day; I concentrate instead on

being thankful that I’ve realized being thankful that I’ve realized what I’ve done in time to appreciate what I’ve done in time to appreciate

the things I have anew. the things I have anew.

Those are good days. Those are good days.

TheseThese are good days! are good days!

So don’t feel guilty – be happy.So don’t feel guilty – be happy.

10: You are your own person. 10: You are your own person.

YouYou choose your friends, your classes, choose your friends, your classes, your food, your habits. your food, your habits.

You’re getting a fresh start, with all You’re getting a fresh start, with all that implies.that implies.

Take advantage of it. Take advantage of it.

Establish yourself Establish yourself intelligentlyintelligently; don’t ; don’t make a bunch of commitments you make a bunch of commitments you can’t honor or decisions you can’t can’t honor or decisions you can’t

live down. live down.

Live a life you can be proud of, Live a life you can be proud of, whether it’s a quiet life of greatness whether it’s a quiet life of greatness or a more obvious one; you’re calling or a more obvious one; you’re calling the shots, you’re flipping your coins, the shots, you’re flipping your coins,

and that responsibility is an and that responsibility is an awesome and wonderful gift.awesome and wonderful gift.

I don’t want you to flip coins like it’s I don’t want you to flip coins like it’s going out of style, or decide to flip going out of style, or decide to flip

the coin when you’re at an 8 and the the coin when you’re at an 8 and the choices are 9 and 3. choices are 9 and 3.

(At some point, you hold the coin you (At some point, you hold the coin you have while you work to better your have while you work to better your odds!) odds!)

I used the coin-flip game for the same I used the coin-flip game for the same reason I asked you to study reason I asked you to study

characters who went to extremes characters who went to extremes (Siddhartha, Tom, Carl, Beowulf, (Siddhartha, Tom, Carl, Beowulf,

Macbeth, etc.): because they’re case Macbeth, etc.): because they’re case studies in how to pursue balance in studies in how to pursue balance in life, and in how individual people try life, and in how individual people try to recover from mistakes they and to recover from mistakes they and

those around them make.those around them make.

I hope this class has helped you learn I hope this class has helped you learn how to do both – to balance how to do both – to balance andand

recover, to live and to learn. recover, to live and to learn.

I hope you learned that human I hope you learned that human connections matter – that we are connections matter – that we are indeed tied in a single garment of indeed tied in a single garment of destiny, and that whatever affects destiny, and that whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.one directly affects all indirectly.

I hope you can recognize your dreams I hope you can recognize your dreams more clearly and pursue them more more clearly and pursue them more readily. readily.

I hope you’ve found your own ways to I hope you’ve found your own ways to live for ends more durable than live for ends more durable than

individual fame, and that you have individual fame, and that you have enough of an impact on the world enough of an impact on the world around you to warrant a similarly around you to warrant a similarly

eloquent epitaph someday. eloquent epitaph someday.

I hope this class has exceeded your I hope this class has exceeded your great expectations, whatever they great expectations, whatever they may have been; that it taught you may have been; that it taught you

that you should always expect that you should always expect something from an experience, even something from an experience, even

a high school class; and that you a high school class; and that you should make these expectations should make these expectations

clear, in every relationship you form clear, in every relationship you form and every experience you enjoy. and every experience you enjoy.

I hope that the philosophies and ideas I hope that the philosophies and ideas we’ve grappled with challenged and we’ve grappled with challenged and moved you, and that the characters moved you, and that the characters we studied and the works we read we studied and the works we read helped you to see human beings helped you to see human beings

differently – perhaps even differently – perhaps even understand them better. understand them better.

I hope you’ve also gained a greater I hope you’ve also gained a greater appreciation for outside appreciation for outside perspectives – perhaps even to the perspectives – perhaps even to the point that you’ve found it easier to point that you’ve found it easier to analyze issues from multiple angles. analyze issues from multiple angles.

But above all else, I hope I’ve made it But above all else, I hope I’ve made it easier for you to understand easier for you to understand

yourself. yourself.

By that, I mean I hope you can By that, I mean I hope you can understand who you are, what you understand who you are, what you

want, why you want what you want want, why you want what you want (and are who you are), and how you (and are who you are), and how you plan to move forward with your life plan to move forward with your life

once you leave my class. once you leave my class.

I hope you keep searching, and never I hope you keep searching, and never stop learning, because life is an stop learning, because life is an impossibly beautiful experience.impossibly beautiful experience.

I hope you end up exceeding me, in so I hope you end up exceeding me, in so many ways; I’ve told you that before, many ways; I’ve told you that before, but I’m not sure you understand how but I’m not sure you understand how deeply I mean it.deeply I mean it.

(If not today, you will, someday!) (If not today, you will, someday!)

And I hope you make your own And I hope you make your own opportunities – that if you’re a Kobe opportunities – that if you’re a Kobe

without a Naismith…without a Naismith…

you invent you invent

your gameyour game

yourself.yourself.

For a man For a man willwill find a means of doing find a means of doing what he really wishes to do.what he really wishes to do.

You can do anything in this world if You can do anything in this world if you listen to yourselves honestly;you listen to yourselves honestly;

Take the text of your childhoods and Take the text of your childhoods and supply the commentary of your supply the commentary of your futures. futures.

If you recognize the infinite promise in If you recognize the infinite promise in the lives that so many people, out of the lives that so many people, out of love, have tried to provide for you;love, have tried to provide for you;

If you study the Great Mysteries – all If you study the Great Mysteries – all of them – into which we are born;of them – into which we are born;

If you remember Picasso’s wisdom – If you remember Picasso’s wisdom – instead of trying to be the soldier instead of trying to be the soldier who becomes a general, you become who becomes a general, you become the best version of yourself possible;the best version of yourself possible;

you can then make Maughan’s words a you can then make Maughan’s words a mission statement: mission statement:

I can do I can do anythinganything in this world in this world

if I am prepared if I am prepared

to take the consequences. to take the consequences.

Write the history of this generation, in Write the history of this generation, in bold strokes and big letters.bold strokes and big letters.

Use the pens I’ve given you.Use the pens I’ve given you.

Nothing could honor me more.Nothing could honor me more.

Today, tomorrow, forever…do the Today, tomorrow, forever…do the things that’ll make me, your parents, things that’ll make me, your parents,

and yourselves proud.and yourselves proud.

To the children of mine who are To the children of mine who are coming back: I can’t wait to get coming back: I can’t wait to get started.started.

To the children of mine who leave for To the children of mine who leave for good today: I will miss you, and good today: I will miss you, and

profoundly so.profoundly so.

But every new beginning comes from But every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.some other beginning’s end.

And your new beginning is a And your new beginning is a wonderful one indeed.wonderful one indeed.

So, one last time…So, one last time…

I am me.I am me.

You are here.You are here.

And it is today.And it is today.

And you have a chance to become And you have a chance to become anyany type of person you want to become.type of person you want to become.

Who will you decide to be?Who will you decide to be?

And what will you attempt to do?And what will you attempt to do?