Someone suggested that I watch to watch Adm. William H. McRaven’s commencement speech at University of Texas on how to change the world. When I first located the video on YouTube, I cringed at the length: 19 and a half minutes. I was not too thrilled to start, however I gave it a try. He immediately captivated my attention. I had heard bits and pieces of his commencement speech before, but I had never heard his entire speech and had not felt the power in his words. The lessons I learned from his speech will forever ring in my mind. Here are a few…

1. If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.

By starting off your day with a small victory you are already ahead. Even if you don’t accomplish anything else that day, you will always come home to a made bed.

2. If you want to change the world, find someone to help you paddle.

Find some one that will support you with everything you do. Whether it is a best friend or a lifelong partner find someone who will help you build yourself, not break you down.

3. If you want to change the world, measure a person by the size of their heart, not the size of their flippers.

No matter how tall and strong someone may be, if their heart is not in the right place, they will not have the strength to succeed. Nothing matters but your will and determination, without heart, you cannot succeed.

4. If you want to change the world, get over being a sugar cookie and keep moving forward.

Sometimes in life you will fail, no matter how hard you try or push, that is just life. There will always be setbacks; it is your job to keep pushing through and to never give up.

5. But if you want to change the world, don't be afraid of the circuses.

When you do fail, it will most likely be unnerving and defeating. You will fail often; it will be discouraging and painful, it will test you as a person. However, you will become stronger and wiser because of it.

6. If you want to change the world sometimes you have to slide down the obstacle headfirst.

If you stammer toward any obstacle in life, you are going to fall. It is easy to take it slow, commonly found. If you run head first into any obstacle, your confidence will carry you to your goals and allow you to set the example for others to follow.

7. If you want to change the world, don't back down from the sharks.

In life you might not be the top dog at all times. There will most likely always be someone to follow. Whether it be a higher-ranking NCO, officer, or your boss in the civilian world is it imperative to be confident around them and prove your worth. Confidence is key.

8. If you want to change the world, you must be your very best in the darkest moment.

When you are down on your luck and worried that you may not succeed, you must stay positive. You must stay calm, cool and collective. Our greatest strength is our ability to harness personal drive and motivation. When the times get tough prepare to get tough for the time

9. If you want to change the world, start singing when you're up to your neck in mud.

Hope conquers all. Without hope the United States would probably still to this day be a part of the British Empire. Without hope President Lincoln would have never been able to emancipate the slaves. Without hope you will never have the strength to push through the mud and strive for drier ground.

10. If you want to change the world don't ever, ever ring the bell.

Under no circumstances can you ever give up. If you truly want to see a change in the world, you have to start with yourself. If you give up, the world will never change. Even if you only change the life of one person, it will set off the chain reaction to change the whole world.

Life will never be easy, but it is important to never give up.