graduation

a cap and a gown will not make you a graduate
they will symbolize what you can do
but say nothing about what you will do
walking across a stage and shaking hands
means your journey has just begun
now your real learning starts
and it will take you the rest of your life
before you can truly celebrate your graduation
as happy as you are today is only important
if you are able to be this happy every day for the rest of your life
as unrealistic as that may sound new graduate
ask yourself the following questions
will you make it on your own
or will you need help
have you learned enough to know the difference
is this the right career choice
and if it is not what will you do to fix it
and if it is what will it do to fix you
will your decisions bring you happiness
can you handle a lifetime of pain if they do not
can you change the things about yourself that you do not like
and are you strong enough to deal with those who do not like you
will you choose the right person to spend the rest of your life with
and will the person who chooses you add life to your years
will you be the parent you always wanted to be
or will you be the parent you always wanted
will your children bring you happiness
or will you choose not to have a child
will you help those who cannot help themselves
and will you understand how helping them will help you
finally realize that every question you ask yourself
will be answered on your time
not in an arbitrary four year period