Life lessons: Advice for new graduates

My lilacs are blooming. That is always a sure sign the end of the school year is on its way. I remember clearly bringing bouquets of lilacs and peonies to my grade school teachers as the school year waned. It is not so much how the flowers looked that I remember as it is the smell.

Social media platforms have lately been populated with prom pictures. FFA banquets have been or will be held within the next few weeks.

High school seniors will soon toss their caps into the air and step into the next chapter of their lives.

We recently hosted the livestock judging team from a local high school FFA chapter on our farm for a workout where they sorted through a set of heifers, placing them and giving reasons.

All seniors, they are ready to wrap up this “season” of their lives and move on to the next. Two are headed to university; two are off to tech school.

All four are whip-smart and polite. It will be my pleasure to see what contributions they make to society as they get on with their lives.

It has become customary this time of year for me to offer up some advice in this column with soon-to-be-newly-minted high school and college graduates.

Although advice given in previous years remains relevant, I do try to change it up for each set of graduates.

Sometimes, the simple and seemingly insignificant thought or action can have the most significant impact on one’s future.

• Be kind. It is not that hard. The world needs a little more kindness.

• Be present. Do not miss the moment because you are busy getting the perfect selfie. Set down whatever mobile device you are reading or listening to and be a part of what is happening in the space you occupy.

• Be willing to change paths. Not every endeavor will pan out the way you plan, and quite often you will find that which you thought at the time was a failure is really a step toward success. Changing directions can be challenging, but also exciting.

• Surround yourself with those who support and encourage you. An important aspect of supporting and encouraging is being willing to tell you the truths you may not want to hear. It might be as simple as suggesting a more appropriate clothing selection for a job interview or encouraging you to turn off the YouTube videos so you get some sleep the night before a big test.

• Be a team player. Although being independent and responsible for yourself are signs of maturity, so is the ability to share responsibilities as well as accolades for accomplishments. I certainly learn more from collaborating with people whose views differ from mine than from working only with like-minded individuals. Imagine what a boring and unproductive world it would be if we all agreed on everything all the time.

Whether you are a student, a teacher, a parent, a sibling, an aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend, or someone like me, with “other people’s kids,” savor this season. There are a limited number of them in a lifetime.