Congratulations!
Oh, you will hear that for a while as you run into acquaintances.
Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!
You may get tired of it, but my advice to you is: Soak it up!! You earned it!
Soon life will resume and you will be pushed on to the next chapter of your personal story.
I am so proud of you! Do you remember how badly you wanted to quit? How you didn’t see the point of taking classes that you couldn’t see ever using in the real world? You pushed through and you did it! You earned your degree! Congratulations from me to you.
As I look to your future, this momma is so excited for you!!
The world is your oyster.
What does that even mean?! It means life is full of opportunities and you are in a great position to be able to take advantage of them. You have options!
As an older (and wiser) person…. I’d say this is one of the greatest times to be graduating. There are oodles of opportunities with the world shrinking like it is – due to the internet. Oh! If you ever need ideas…. I’ve got them!!! Yeah, I know… you want to do this on your own. And that’s exciting! Because I know you can! You are well capable and talented.
Sometimes I wish I weren’t your mom and I could just be your friend, but this is the letting-go phase for me. It will be exciting to watch you and see what direction you will go.
As your friends scatter here and there, some continuing their education, some nose-diving into relationships, some flailing… you will probably make many new friends.
You will notice, as you go through the next phase of life, that some people have things handed to them and their life looks easy. I assure you, it isn’t. There is very little satisfaction in something that you haven’t earned. A gift is a wonderful thing but, think back throughout your life… Didn’t you treasure those things that you earned much more than gifts that were given to you?
With that said… I want to encourage you to not despise humble beginnings. And don’t despise hard work. Hard work builds character that you will need to raise a family. It builds character that you will need to stay married. It builds character to do the right thing when you’re tempted to cut a corner when you shouldn’t.
Another benefit of the character that you build in the tough times is that, when you come out the other end, you’ll have the courage and confidence to put your dreams to action. You won’t be one of those that dream – and put it on the side. When you push through difficult challenges, you’re able to pursue even greater ones.
Then again, there’s a necessary balance between working and pleasure. Your generation seems to have pleasure figured out.. but just in case you get a little crazy and reap amazing benefits of your work ethic – remember what truly satisfies…and that’s relationships. Many people have lost the most precious relationships for the pursuit of accomplishments, money and the likes.
God puts people in your path for a reason – and we can learn as we invest in others. Growing and being spurred on by good people is one of the most exciting parts of life. Surround yourself with people that are headed in a direction you want to emulate.
Success can be defined in many ways. Be sure you personally define it before you find yourself pursuing someone else’s definition of success for your life. Take some time to look at your life backwards. What really matters in the end?
Oh my…I’m rambling…. I could go on forever!! But I won’t 🙂
You’re going to do great! You have a great foundation. You have persevered and put your nose to the grind stone when you needed to. Even if you didn’t want to – you did it! And that’s what counts.
Remember what Grandma always said: It’s easy to do something that’s easy, but it takes great character to do something that’s difficult.
And you have done it! I am so so proud of you.
I remain your biggest fan!
If you’re a blogger and you’d like to linkup your amazing articles, please connect with the inlink button below. Have a blessed week!
Laurie says
What wonderful advice to give a graduating child. Wish I could have read it before my own children graduated, but maybe someday I will use some of it for my grandchildren…. Love the advice about finding balance. Wise council to give a young person!
Char says
Thanks Laurie, That’s the big challenge in life for all of us! To find that balance…
Joanne Viola says
There is much wisdom to be found in Grandma’s quote and I appreciate you sharing her words this morning along with yours! May our children (and us as well) develop character in doing the difficult. As usual, I am grateful to have stopped here this morning!
Char says
Grandma has lots of wisdom! And she’s still sharing it at 95 years old (next week)!
Anita Ojeda says
Grandma had some great advice—and you do, too! I especially appreciate your counsel to define success on your own terms and not let the world decide that for you.
Char says
It’s easy to get caught up in the values of those around us. And then we wake up one day and wonder who we are and how we created this crazy life!
Michele Morin says
I keep a journal for each of my sons, writing in it for special occasions or just because. Whenever I write, I go back and read some of the old letters and the feeling of nostalgia just washes over me. We’ve got just one more high school graduation ahead of us and a couple more college graduations. It’s so good to stop and ponder at these momentous happenings in the family story.
Char says
That’s precious Michele! The day my first son was born I started a journal but stopped about highschool graduation. That’s a great idea to continue on! Do they know about it? Have you ever shown them or given the journal to them? What’s your plan? I obviously love the idea!! ( I never gave my sons the ones I wrote – honestly, I figured it’s too much to expect them to read)
Lauren Sparks says
Great pep talk! LAURENsparks.net
Char says
Thanks!
Patrick Weseman says
Such wonderful advice. I will be stealing it for my own daughter who graduates college on Saturday. Thanks.
Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
Char says
Congratulations to your daughter!!
Rebecca Hastings says
Great encouragement for graduates (and reminders for all of us!)
Char says
Thanks Rebecca, have a great week.
Tai East says
Char, this is a wonderful post! So sweet, yet so empowering! Love and encouragement seeping from your every word! Thank you for sharing! Blessings! 🙂
Char says
Graduation is a precious time! Thanks Tai!
nylse says
I enjoyed reading this letter as it brought back great memories. One other thing I would add, don’t look at the timelines of others. It may seem to take a while to get going but consider that God is using you in this time to seek and to know Him better. Your dreams will come to fruition in the ways that He says they will and when they do you will see his Hand all over them and you will be able to encourage those who are going through what you went through. Life isn’t easy but with God in you, you will persevere.
Char says
That’s a great point. I know young adults that are not following the typical timelines and it’s a challenge to stay encouraged and focused on their individual paths. Thanks for the words of wisdom Nylse!
Debbie Putman says
This is a wonderful and encouraging letter…not just for graduates but for all.
Char says
Ahhh thanks Debbie!
Lisa notes says
Nice letter, Mom. 🙂 Graduating is a big deal and our kids need our encouragement to step into the next phase.
Char says
It is a big step and the next phase is really important! Have a great week Lisa.
Patricia says
What a beautiful letter from the heart. Your advice and words are the perfect advice for all ages. Thank you for this post and hosting a fabulous link up!
Char says
Thanks for stopping in and reading Patricia!
Donna Reidland says
What powerful advice! The kind every graduate and all of us need. May we all take it to heart!