Commencement — a defining moment
Defining moments shape our lives. Donning a gown, walking across stage, accepting a diploma, moving the tassel and tossing the cap all constitute part of the pomp and circumstance of celebrating commencement.
A diploma is a piece of paper that represents a whole lot of hard work. At a recent commencement address, Oprah Winfrey said that earning a degree is a privilege that obligates recipients to use what they’ve learned to help those who didn’t get the same opportunity.
John Woods grew up as an avid reader who visited the public library weekly. He felt he’d won the lottery of life because he was born in this country to parents who could afford to send him to college. Now he dedicates his life to building thousands of libraries in third world countries to help millions of children who weren’t as lucky to get access to books. Commencement speeches not only advise graduates to find and pursue their passion, but often reflect on the defining moments leading up to this milestone. Defining moments can be positive peak experiences or more painful hardship.
Lives are measured in moments. Some moments are more meaningful than others. A defining moment often includes memorable delight, a sense of celebration or a painful pit that needs to be filled.
Defining moments matter because they are what is remembered and cherished. Teachers hope to be powerfully memorable. It’s rewarding to hear that students are still reflecting on a welldesigned lesson years later.
Teachers know that mistakes and failures are certain in life no matter how qualified students become, but they encourage graduates to persevere in spite of them. Finding the grit to keep overcoming obstacles is one of the life lessons teachers and parents hope students learn early.
Graduates often have parents to thank for cheering them on over their hurdles. As they move into their future, graduates get to choose who they will surround themselves with and parents hope that they choose those who will support them.
Graduates are often challenged to be greater than those who came before. They are encouraged to keep reaching for greatness. This isn’t easy and requires considerable tenacity, but is sure to offer up many more memorable moments along the way.
Dan and Chip Heath, authors of The Power of Defining Moments, believe that defining moments can be created rather than waiting for them. Defining moments have several characteristic elements that could include elevation, insight, pride and connection.
Defining moments help elevate people because these times seem to rise above the rest to transcend the normal and often boost sensory pleasures. They offer insight that can rewire the understanding of self and influence life for decades.
These special moments capture us at our best. These proud milestone moments build on each other and some acts of courage create positive ripple effects. The Fitbit app offers badges for distance walked and the Couch to 5K program motivates fitness by building on small incremental steps. Defining moments often also have a social aspect because these events are strengthened by sharing.
We often keep a treasure chest of precious items to remind us of our defining moments. Special cards, emails or love letters help to elevate our mood. Favorite quotes offer insight into life. Trophies, awards and even report cards can help capture our sense of pride. Photos help to portray our connection.
In general, people benefit from investing in these crucial moments. Transitions are a gradual evolution that can be made more crisp by picking a defining moment to celebrate. When defining moments are created, they give shape to life.
Graduation like so many other milestones offers a clean slate, a fresh start, and an opportunity to reset so as not to make the same mistakes of the past. Marking transitions and commemorating milestones has a way of punctuating the prose of life. Make commencement an exclamation in yours.
Kristi Mccracken, author of two children’s books and a long time teacher in the South Valley, can be reached at educationallyspeaking@gmail.com.