Picture this. You come to a red streetlight. We all know this means stop. However, we are running out of time, and know that if we wait at the light we may miss a spectacular opportunity. Running a red light may not be the safest thing to do, but the risk may be worth taking even if you don’t understand why. There is no way to plan for these actions; you just need to hope for the best and accept how hard it can be to chase something that may amount to nothing when all is said and done.
So, what’s it going to be? Remain immobile at the red where it is stable and familiar, essentially textbook, or go for the risk. I know this has all been very vague. This speech may make things a bit more clear.
Baz Luhrmann turned the 1997 commencement speech "Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)," written by Mary Schmich, into a spoken word song. It talks about issues that occur in our daily lives. It advises us to live by certain guidelines, even if that means not having any guidelines at all. Time is running out, and we must make the most of every precious moment. Here are the most important pieces of advice dispensed during the speech.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’97. Wear Sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future. Sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists. Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis, more reliable, than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.”
“Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth… You will not understand the beauty of your youth until it's faded.”
“Don’t worry about your future.”
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
“Don’t waste your time on jealousy.”
“The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.”
“Remember compliments you received, forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.”
“Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know, still don’t.”
“Whatever you do, don’t congratulate your self too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else’s. “
“Everybody’s free to wear sunscreen.”
Sitting in lectures, discussions, and libraries are choices. Many think this is what we must or are expected to do. We wait for a sign to guide us to the rest of our lives. The problem is, that sign will not be on a page in your textbook.
With a handful of students graduating after this semester, remember that while the use of sunscreen is scientifically proven to be beneficial, some of the greatest things in life will never be proven in a textbook. There is no answer to know where you will go and how you will get there. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to watch this speech. Do with it what you wish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkOympYTk3Q
