Graduation

by Tom Hinton

It’s a special time of year for so many parents as families and friends gather to celebrate the graduation of their sons and daughters from high school, college and graduate schools. I’ve been thinking about the significance and symbolism of graduation since my oldest daughter will graduate tomorrow with her Master’s Degree in Public Health.  Needless to say, I am proud of her accomplishments, but also relieved that we can finally stop writing those tuition checks!

I think most students work hard to graduate from high school. It’s no longer a cakewalk for many students like me who are right brain-dominated and must muddle through an educational system that is completely designed for left-brain kids. It’s unfair, but that’s a different Blog.

Graduation represents a significant accomplishment in their young lives. While everyone is expected to graduate from high school, I was surprised to learn that only 78.2 percent of high school students get their diploma on time.  This is according to a study sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

Over the past 10 years the number of high school graduates continuing on to college has averaged just 67.2 percent a year. That figure tells me it’s getting more difficult for the 17-19 year-olds to get into college, or figure out their path in life, or pay for college. 

Of course, there’s always going to be a percentage of kids that just aren’t a good fit for college. This includes those students who want to pursue a specialty trade or craft, like plumbing, carpentry, or being an electrician – all very noble professions.  While they need good skills, they don’t need a college degree to earn a living.

Throughout our life, there are several significant moments that we should all celebrate and be proud of. Earning a degree and graduating from high school or college are such moments. It signifies we accomplished something.  We persevered and got the job done. We completed all the courses, weathered all the school policies and regulations, and met the academic requirements to earn that sheepskin. Now, we move on to our next challenge in life with greater confidence in our abilities and a higher level of self-esteem. To me, that’s the greatest symbolism of graduation. It builds character.

The Course of 10,000 Days teaches us that success and abundance in life are the result of hundreds of small victories and accomplishments. Very rarely do we have to scale Mt. Everest to achieve success, but there are hundreds of steep paths and trails we must traverse every day in order to make something of ourselves and achieve our goals and dreams. 

So, congratulations to all the graduates. You did it! Now, onward and upward to your next challenge.

A Tribute to John

A few hours ago I learned that a old friend named John had passed away fourth months ago. He was 75. Sadly, I had no idea John was ill. In fact, the last time we saw each other was 15 months ago. Our wives joined us for a delightful dinner in Santa Monica.

Although we hadn’t seen each other in years, we picked-up the dinner conversation right where we had left off seven years earlier — just as old friends do. We talked about the good old days, music, the business of songwriting (for which we shared a mutual passion) and life in general. There was never any mention of John’s battle with cancer. I had no idea he was struggling.

So, it was a shock to discover he had passed away. What is even more ironic is that just this morning, I found a scrap of paper with John’s address and email on it. I entered his information in my iPhone contact list. Then, two hours later, I received an email from a business contact announcing a memorial tribute to our late friend. How bizarre.

The Course of 10,000 Days reminds us that life is short. The average human being lives 30,000 days which equals 82 years. In John’s case, he only lived 75 years. My point is simply this. Cherish each day you live. Remain close to the people you love and remind them that you love them. Celebrate life and resolve to do good things with the brief time that remains.

My friend, John, certainly touched many of us is many positive ways. He was a good person who gave so much and expected so little in return. He created a wonderful legacy in 75 short years and will be well-remembered by those of us who read his books, heard his music and valued his friendship.