Throughout May, across the nation at Colleges and Universities, commencement addresses are being given by well-known politicians, judges, television or radio personalities, actors, and even Fortune 500 CEOs. These commencement speakers, offering sound advice and inspiration gleaned from personal life experiences, provide advice to graduating seniors as to how they can successfully navigate both their personal lives and professional careers throughout the years ahead.
These speeches, traditionally about 10 minutes in length (up to 2,500 words), will vary widely, and can either be serious or lighthearted, but they should all be authentic, motivational, and informative.
Over the years, as I have stated in previous commencement speech articles that I have penned, I have called for "regular folks" who have overcome obstacles throughout their lives to be invited speakers. One year I put the spotlight on Rhode Island authors, noting that they had valuable insights to share.
This week, I offer my commencement speech, giving the graduating seniors advice, pulling from stoicism, a school of Hellenistic philosophy that thrived in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome.
According to Wikipedia, Stoic philosophers were known for their teaching that "virtue is the only good" for human beings, and that health, wealth, and pleasure, are not good or bad in themselves but have value as "material for virtue to act upon."
To the Graduating Class of 2024"
Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty members, proud parents, and most importantly, the graduating class of 2024: Congratulations!
This day marks a very significant milestone in your life's journey. Today you must reflect not just on your past achievements and failures, but also on the philosophies and values that have and will now guide you throughout the journey that lies ahead. Today, I want to share with you some timeless wisdom from the Greek and Roman Stoic philosophers, whose teachings offer invaluable insights into how to navigate the complexities of life with resilience, wisdom, and virtue.
Incorporating Stoicism's timeless principles will provide you with a philosophical framework for confronting life's complexities by pursuing a path of fulfillment and virtue. And what is Stoicism, you say. This philosophy emphasizes resilience in the face of adversity. It also calls for focusing on what is within your control, embracing change and cultivating your virtue and character.
Stoic philosophers also encourage you to align your values to find meaning and purpose in your life, to maintain inner peace and to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around you.
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