graduation speech

Good Evening graduates, parents,and all who have come to celebrate this special nights with us. At this moment, I am sure that all of my fellow peers have a bitter sweet feeling and some anxiety as to what the future may bring. Today marks the end of our highschool chapter and so opens a new blank page where we are the authors and have the freedom to choose what we write. Some of these pages will be marked by mistake and obstacles that we must face. But we shall remember that the struggles are what make the destination worthwhile. I stand here today knowing that during the twelve years of school I have not only learned how to use the Pythagorean theorem or write essays. I have learnt how to become a focused and dedicated student. This has shaped my personality and determination to excel in life and settle for nothing but extraordinary.

I believe that school is a great discipline, and has taught how to be diligent and aim for the stars. Its important to be tru to yourself and pursue what you want in life. No matter how small, big or silly you think your dream is, go out there and achieve it and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The reason why I am emphasizing this point is because despite all the progress women have made in our society, we still have a long way to go. I believe that sometimes , the conventional professions such as engineering and medicine might seem more appealing and also define the term success for most households. So, So what if?! If you want to become a photographer, artist or even a chef!!! If that’s what you are passionate about, then ignore these prejudices and pursue it. It is important, to recognize that being passionate about something is a gift. It shouldn’t be ignored or taken for granted. Instead it should be nurtured and encouraged. You should go out there, and contribute to our world and society and make a change and voice your opinions. One of my favorite quotes by the Dalai Lama says “The planet does not need more successful people, the planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers and lovers of all kind.” We have become robots and slaves to money, success and fame. It saddens me to think that today, the word success & wealth is synonymous. Success should be measured on your own terms and what journey you decide to pursue. We are often harshly criticized and judged by our mistakes, but its imperative to understand that these mistakes are what makes you the person you grow out to be and what makes your skin grow thicker. You might think that by now you have figured yourself out, and know who you are. But trust me what awaits us is what will genuinely shape and define us to the strong independent women we aspire to be.

They say that your four years in college are the most critical years of your life, because you are practically on a journey to find yourself and destiny. I am not going to stand here, and tell you that your lives will be touched with gold and roses. Its because life is also full of hardship and dull moments. Its reality, well with that being said, I am not trying to be gloomy or pessimistic. I would like to assure you that If you do what you love, mind you that HEY! Even if you gave no idea yet what you want to do that fine too. But inshalla if you put your heart and soul into whatever it is you do and have nothing but good intentions then god will help in allowing everything to fall into place. Take it one step at a time, life is too short to overwhelm yourself.

I would like to thank my teachers, principle, cousins, sister, parents, aunt, my friends and fellow graduates and most importantly I would like to thank my mother for sacrificing a lot for us.

In closing, I will let you ponder on the powerful words of the Dalai Lama “Man.
Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”

Congratulations class of 2014! May the future bring more joy and success to your lives!

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