Oscar Award winner Denzel Washington once was invited to address the commencement ceremony to the students from Dillard University in New Orleans.
Washington spoke about four of his life’s goals with 218 seniors who are graduating and the crowd as well. “Number one is to put God first in all you do. Everything that you think you see in me and everything you think I’ve accomplished…everything I have is by the grace of God, understand that. It’s an act of God’s grace.
He explained to them that God has kept him focused in all of his days. “I’ve been safe and directed. I’ve received corrections. I’ve remained loyal to God within my daily life, and it has kept me at peace,” he said. “I did not always stay with him but he’s always with me. Keep him in mind in everything your do.” He recalled.
“Fail large” was his second message. “Do the things you are passionate about…Don’t be intimidated by failure and to imagine of the big. Remember, the dreams that don’t have goals nothing more than dreams…to succeed, you must adhere to a strict and consistent approach.”
The actor demonstrated his third point. “You won’t have a U-haul parked behind the hearse. It doesn’t matter about how much you earn You can’t carry it home with you…It’s not about how much money you have, it’s how your do with that money.” He was adamant about giving back to the communities and encouraging others. “That’s where the fun is, that’s where achievement is.”
In his final statement, Washington said, “I hope you’ll put your slippers in the middle of your mattress tonight, to ensure that when you wake awake in the early morning,, you need to be down on your knees and reach for to them,”” Washington said. “And when you’re there, you should say “Thank you. Thank you for your grace and mercy Thank you for understanding Thank you for your wisdom thank you for parents Thank you for your love Thank you for kindness and humility Thank your peace.”
He ended with “Don’t try to make money, but strive to be a changemaker.” The experience of listening to Denzel Washington’s speech gave me the idea of researching other speakers’ tips for graduates in commencement speeches.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts offered a unique advice during his commencement speech at the time of his son’s graduation many years back. “From times to time in the future I hope that you will be unjustly treated and that you learn the value of justice. I wish that you endure betrayal, as it will teach you the value of loyalty…I would like to see you feel lonely from time to moment so that you don’t consider friends to be a burden. ……”
The last piece of advice was very simple. “Once every week it is recommended to send a message to someone. It’s not an email. A note written on the paper. It will take just one hour …” He also said that people who receive a message that you wrote will be more special for having you.
If the most wise person ever to have lived was to deliver a commencement address this day, Solomon would remind graduates of Proverbs 3:5 and 6 “Trust to your Lord to the core of your soul; And don’t rely on your own wisdom; In all of your choices, take refuge in Him, and He will guide your steps.your pathways.” In the prophetic age, Jeremiah would remind students that God has plans for each of us and gives students “a prospective and chance” (29:11).
Jan White has compiled a collection of her columns in her book “Everyday The Faithful Daily Life.”
The article Commencement speakers offer guidance to graduates appeared at The Andalusia Star-News.
