I could really use your help with this

It is graduation season once again, and over the next couple of weeks thousands of Alabama high school seniors will march in caps and gowns and receive their diplomas. Some will go on to college, others will begin the search for the careers that provide a living, but personal satisfaction too.

I’ve spoken at graduation ceremonies before and will speak at two this year. I’m excited to be speaking to the graduates of Fayetteville High School in Talladega County. I feel at home in and around this community. I’ve gotten to know folks there, and the more I meet, the more I feel a kinship with them. They’re folks like the ones I was raised around and I appreciate their values, work ethic and common sense. I think I’ll enjoy the graduation too, because Fayetteville High School is about the same size as my alma mater, Clay City High School back in Indiana. Graduation is one of the calendars highlighted dates in the community, and I’ll be honored to be share with them.

I’ll go to another end of our viewing area later this month and speak at the Piedmont High School commencement in northeast Calhoun County. All I know about this school and community is that is located in what one could argue is the most scenic part of Alabama.  I’ll take Jack along and he’ll take pictures and some video for us to use later. He swears he’s not tired of hearing me talk…yet.

This is where I ask for your help. In 2009, what do you tell a bunch of graduating seniors?  Do I play it safe? Do I tell them to set goals for themselves, reach for the stars, fulfill their dreams and never give up? Any motivational speaker, and there are thousands to choose from on hundreds of Web sites, can spin that predictable advice. Throw in a couple of personal stories about overcoming hardship, add a funny story, and you’ve got a 30 minutes speech that will be forgotten before the punch reaches room temperature.

Really, let me know. If you were in my shoes, what would you say, what would be the hook or key element of your talk to these young people?  I think it matters. I think it’s important that if we get ’em all dressed up and sitting still for a little while, we ought to at least give them something to think about that’s worth thinking about.  For a little while, maybe no one will be short-hand texting or listening to their iPods. My e-mail is .

I’m not asking you to write my speech, heck I won’t write one, but over the next several days, I’m going to gather my thoughts, read your e-mails and try very hard to reach a goal I always set for myself when I’m asked to speak.  When we’re done, I want folks to leave saying to themselves, “I’m glad I was here to hear that.”  If we can do that every time we open our mouths in front of folks, then maybe it’s time well spent.

A couple years ago I was honored to speak at the Tennessee Temple University commencement in Chattanooga, Tenn.  It is one of my most valued memories to go back and speak to the graduates of my alma mater. I felt nervousness that day that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. 

I don’t expect to have graduates crowding through doorways fighting to get out and put into practice what I tell them…I just want them to think, to focus on the value of each and every day, and to make the most of each one.

I’ll see you tonight at 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 p.m.