Good morning, Class of 2025---this is it.
The moment you have worked so diligently for---
The moment you have patiently waited for---
The moment that will be a stepping stone for you in the years to come---
This moment has finally arrived…
Congratulations!
Good morning, Class of 2025---this is it.
The moment you have worked so diligently for---
The moment you have patiently waited for---
The moment that will be a stepping stone for you in the years to come---
This moment has finally arrived…
Congratulations!
As we gather to celebrate you today, I recognize the simple fact that I am the only one standing between you, the ringing of the Victory Bell, and your newfound status as a Graduate of Palmer Trinity School. I also recognize that today, you’re going to leave us...Your Palmer Trinity Family.
Today, you “cast off”; you depart into the great unknown; you take the “next step” on your educational journey…Summer travels, study abroad, college…Who knows?
And with that in mind, I’ll take full advantage of having this podium and microphone, and offer a few, hopefully, helpful, last pieces of advice…
Recently, over the February Break, I took the time to read “The Gift of Influence”, written by the best -selling author, and speaker, Tommy Spaulding. “The Gift of Influence” shares stories and provides supporting information emphasizing the impact that each of us has in the world, every day. Spaulding furthers the notion that each of us has the power to influence others, either positively or negatively.
In his work, Spaulding refers to a hypothetical scenario in which you are given the opportunity, at the end of your life, to be “witness” to your impact…
Imagine, if you will, that you are standing on the sideline of a massive stadium…Think of your favorite team, and visualize a “full house”. For me, it will be a packed venue, fully covered in bright Orange and White—a rowdy Neyland Stadium, in East Tennessee, on a crisp Fall evening, just before “Kickoff Time”…
However, in this scenario, everyone is gathered NOT for a Tennessee game, but rather, for me. Everyone is in the stands, gathered to say “Goodbye”.
For you, it may be somewhere else. Perhaps the Orange Bowl/Fed Ex Field here in Miami; or London’s Wembley Stadium; or Yankee Stadium in New York…Wherever…Now, visualize the crowd…
Many of the faces are people you know well…Family, close friends, neighbors, co-workers. The rest you dimly recognize.. Maybe former classmates…Brief acquaintances, the mailman, or Amazon Delivery Guy…People who are part of “transactional relationships”, or those in your life who you rarely think about…
Now, what will your crowd be doing?
Are they cheering for you? Stomping, maybe clapping loudly, chanting your name?
Or, worst of all, are they booing you, cursing your name?
What are they doing?
And, now, the even more important question…
If you knew, that every person you’d ever influenced would be waiting for you, at that stadium, at the end of your life, how would it affect you right now? Would you act differently?
The choice is yours.
You decide.
In furthering this notion of your influence, Spaulding calculates the actual potential impact each of us has, assuming we live the “average” life expectancy of 78 years. It’s quite astonishing, and you may be surprised to learn, but, according to his research, you will influence,
Think of that power you have! 80,000 people or more!
Every single day, two or three people enter your “stadium”...They will remember your actions, your words; in essence, they will remember how you treated them.
In the Survey I presented to you earlier this Spring, I posed an important question to you:
- That is; What are you leaving behind?
- Is it a legacy based upon your own wants and needs and desires?
- Or, is it one rooted in the care for others; service for the greater good; leading with love?
How do you want to be remembered? What is your legacy? Not only here at Palmer Trinity, but in this big, great world?
Will you be a person of character—of integrity—someone who can be counted upon? Only you can decide.
Today is a day of celebration. A day to pause, reflect, and remember the joys, the sorrows, the ups and downs, particularly of your time here at Palmer Trinity.
Today is also a celebration of what is to come…Today is a beginning. A beautiful, exciting, and well deserved beginning…A day to embrace the unknown, and whatever is to come your way. A day to recognize your lasting influence…A day to continue to build your Legacy.
As you take this next step, and further your influence, please remember, to
Be honest with yourself.
Recognize that you are a wonderful, complex and ever-evolving human being…One who has accomplished much, and as of today, is being commended for the successful completion of a major step in your educational life…You are a Palmer Trinity graduate. You should feel proud. Today is a big day!
Each of you has taken your “own road” to be here, and yet, as you well know, this is the first of what will be many steps...You have more to learn. There is much you do not know. Rest assured, there will be plenty of opportunities along the way…Be ready! Remember, too, as the great philosopher Aristotle claims,
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.
To know yourself begins with being honest with yourself. Determine your strengths, and be willing to address your weaknesses—whatever they may be. Discover where your talents lie, and just what your passions may be…As you are open, and truly honest with yourself, you’ll develop the necessary humility so vital in your “legacy building”...In speaking of knowing oneself, and, humility, I am reminded of the legendary French Impressionist, Claude Monet, who claimed,
Apart from painting and gardening, I’m no good at anything.
—Claude Monet
Celebrate your success today—savor it—but be ready to continue on your path of self-enlightenment.
While we’re discussing the importance of transparency, I hope you’ll also remember to,
Be honest with others.
Your reputation depends upon it!
Yes, your word is sacred. How you build your reputation will rest heavily upon your integrity. As many of you have discussed with me in our Leadership course, the importance of integrity cannot be overstated. What you stand for, and just how you “deliver” will be crucial on your “legacy path”.
Are you a person who can be trusted?
Do you do what you say you are going to do?
Do you do the right thing?
As you ask yourselves these questions, take heed of the wise words from Positivity “guru” Zig Ziglar, who furthers this notion, telling us, that
Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life - all areas of life. The really good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.
—Zig Ziglar
In even simpler, and more powerful terms, Martin Luther King claims,
The time is always right to do what is right.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
Be honest with yourself, and Be honest with others.
In your ongoing “legacy” building, I encourage you also to,
Be positive.
Carry that “can do” attitude with you, knowing that things won’t always go as planned. There will be challenges, and you will stumble along the way. At times, there will NOT be an easy solution.You may suffer, you may experience a setback, but do NOT despair! Noted religious leader and educator, Charles Spurgeon tells us, that
Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.
—Charles Spurgeon
Each of you has experienced your own trials in your time here. Think about some of those defeats you may have overcome—the losses you have rebounded from; the pain experienced in failure; the tough lesson learned from something that didn’t go the way you hoped for…How you respond in those moments is critical, and will ultimately pay dividends for you…
In fact, I would argue, that’s where the opportunity for real accomplishment and true growth lie. For it is in those valleys---those downard moments in which we are truly tested.
Whatever it may be, you are here, at this moment…Ready to graduate, and move on…
Don’t be afraid to take the necessary risks so vital for your own growth. Heed the wise words of noted author, Flannery O’Connor, who advises,
Give me the courage to stand the pain to get the grace.
—Flannery O’Connor
Be positive.
Finally, remember simply to
Be grateful.
As I mentioned earlier, we are gathered here today to celebrate YOU…
You have been given much…You are supported and loved, and you have an entire Community behind you ... .
Don't forget to let the people who have helped you know just how much you appreciate their support. Remember their sacrifices, and all they have done for you, on YOUR journey…Be Grateful.
You’ve done that so visibly today, but keep at it! Don’t forget that each day offers new opportunities to be grateful…You can never say “thank you” enough.
With that being said, I certainly am grateful to each of you. I say,
Thank you.
For, you have established yourselves, as leaders in the Classroom. You have set the bar high, for all to follow.
- You have used your time well here, contributing well beyond that Classroom.
- Your Positive Spirit and your Genuine Commitment to the Ideals of our School are of the highest order…Our entire Community owes you a great debt of thanks for leading us so capably.
- I say “thank you” for setting the tone, and being such effective leaders and influences for our School. You have been good mentors, role models, and Spirit Guides for our younger students.
- You have “jumped in” and spoken out respectfully and powerfully, supporting causes to help others and our greater World.
- You have helped lead our artistic efforts, sharing your creative talents for all to enjoy, and you have done so enthusiastically and generously, mentoring our younger musicians, thespians, and artists so capably.
- You have competed at the highest level, with the most noble ideals, and, most importantly, with true sportsmanship on display.
- You have accrued 26, 518 hours of volunteer service as a Class, living our Mission so well and so visibly.
- You have Led with Love, and the ripple effect of such beautiful and thoughtful acts cannot be measured.
In short, you have served faithfully as a Palmer Trinity Student, and all that such a privilege and responsibility require.
In good Episcopal tradition, I’d like to leave you with one of my favorite Prayers, from the late Celtic poet, John O’Donohue:
May my mind come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites me to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.
May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.
And so, Class of 2025, as you take this next step, with diplomas in hand,
- Know that you are loved.
- Know that you are supported.
- Know that we are always cheering for you.
- Know that you will be missed.
- Know that we are waiting, and hoping you will return in due time to share your stories with us.
And, Always remember,
You may leave Palmer Trinity, but Palmer Trinity will never leave you.
