Graduation a time to reflect

These days, it seems that high school graduation isn’t what it used to be.

Once, it was a finality; the big step into the adult world of jobs and responsibilities. Now, as all too many of our graduates know, it is simply a stepping-stone to more school and the college degree that is now so important in the 21st Century economy. So it is understandable if many of the young men and women donning their caps and gowns this year are looking ahead to the when they will be packing up their things and moving across town, across state or across country.

All the more reason to slow down for a second and recognize how far you’ve come already. It’s the perfect moment to reflect on what kind of a person ? kid, really ? you were when you started high school and what kind of a person you’ve grown into.

Are you happy with the change? Are there mistakes you wish you had avoided? Is there more growing you want to do?

There are many more questions you could be asking yourself. The important thing is to ask them ? don’t let this milestone slip away without making it meaningful.

The parents, families and friends of graduates also should be encouraging this introspection, just as you’ve encouraged the learning and maturing that has led our Class of 2006 to this point. Your importance will not disappear just because a tassel got moved across a mortarboard ? you might even find yourself playing a bigger part. Here is the opportunity to consider how your role needs to change or evolve as this graduating class heads into adulthood.

One final thought. Graduation speakers like to talk about the meaning of “commencement,” about how graduation is a beginning. To everyone who’s heard one of those speeches this year, don’t let that valuable point become lost in the abundant rhetoric.

Instead, make this commencement the start of something wonderful.