Jim Carrey. Comedian, actor, astounding artist, and transcendentalist meditation practitioner (pretty cool, so thought I should add that), gave one of the most life-changing speeches at a commencement ceremony for Maharishi University of Management in 2014. I know that was a year ago but I feel like I just had to bring it up again, also I just discovered it a week ago. And I know what you're probably thinking, there are so many celebrities that give amazing speeches at graduations. But there was something extremely distinct about this one. Something only an insightful comedian could really explain perfectly.
The opening is pretty funny, you know, very Jim Carrey-esque, but it starts getting real at 10:08. Carrey previously speaks about how he's "elated" that he is present and speaking at this ceremony. Going on about how such an institution as MUM is an amazing place to learn about the values of life. Then he goes to speak about why we should stop being fearful of things we so desperately want in our lives. Carrey explains, "You can spend your whole life imagining ghosts, worrying about the pathway to the future, but all there will ever be is what's happening here and the decisions we make in this moment, which are based on either love or fear." Pretty astounding right?
This comedian is telling us, basically, to live in the moment with the decisions we make. Take risks, be daring and don't hold back. It's something I'm so honored to have heard because I'm imagining myself three years from now, struggling because I'm too scared to do what I love, and now that I have this piece of information I know not to let it get that bad. Everyone can really learn from this because, no doubt, we all know someone that is scared for their future and skeptical about the path they are traveling on. We, ourselves, have felt that at least once in our life. We all want to change the world. So why not? Why can't we all make the world a better place? So many of us have great ideas that everyone can benefit from, so if you have a belief you should speak it and try to make it happen.
A few minutes later, Jim talks about how he grew up and how his father wanted to become a comedian and decided to go a safer route and become an accountant. When Jim was 12, his father was fired from that job. And this is where, I must admit, I started to cry. A lesson his father taught him that he still remembers to this day is, "You can fail at what you don't want so you might as well take a chance at doing something you love."
That pretty much settled it for me. It's sort of the secret to life. Why waste your time doing something that could potentially end in failure even though it's the safer route? Might as well fail doing what you're most passionate about because you're more driven to succeeding your goal. The ambition towards what you love is MUCH stronger than towards something that's just "ehh".
So if you're in this sort-of predicament right now where you just don't know if somethings worth it, such as owning a business, being an entertainer, or anything that makes you think is impossible, don't feel that way. Be daring, be tough, be risky, but don't be fearful.
Do what you love.
If you haven't seen the speech yet or you just want to feel inspired again then here's the video:
