The other day I was asked to give the commencement speech to highschool graduates of the Raul Izaguirre Charter School here in Houston. I was honored to say the least. These children have achieved in their short lifetime more than most teens in America. They come from low socio economic backgrounds, yet they have excelled academically and all 38 of them are going to college! Most of them are the first to do so in their families which must sign a contract of commitment to excellence to get into the school.
I have given many speeches in my lifetime but when I talk to adolescents I am afraid they won't listen, so I start out with music to get their attention. I told them I didn't expect them to remember anything I said. I certainly don't remember who spoke in my graduation in 1979! but I did tell them I hope they remembered one thing. Thoughts and words have power and "What you believe and conceive you will achieve!" I don't claim to be the creator of that phrase or thought, but I do defend its veracity. Our thoughts are full of power and so are our words so we must watch what we say and do on daily basis.
There is one poem I did not have time to share with the students and their families because I promised I would only talk for 10 minutes (that may be long for anyone's atention span) so I didn't get to share the following poem by Lindsay Pankey. If you are a dentist you probably know who this man is. My brother is a dentist. He was voted one of the best in America last year by the way and I think it is because my brother is constantly studying and cares so much about his patients and Pankey's philosophy of life and how to provide the best treatment for them. He learned this from the dentist philosopher. I leave you with these thoughts and then with Ralph Walso Emerson whose description of what success is all about is right in line with what I believe. Enjoy!
PROMISE YOURSELF
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something great in them to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are of your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large to worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Lindsay Pankey
RALPH WALDO EMERSON SAID SUCCESS IS THE FOLLOWING
To laugh often and much
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends
To appreciate beauty
To find the best in others
To leave the world a little better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition. To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
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