Luminaries, including a president and an NFL star, offer words of wisdom to college graduates.

for the cap-and-gown crowd

When it comes to getting through life, we can all use a shot of inspiration from time to time. As it happens, encouraging words are in abundance this time of year. They come in the form of speeches delivered by esteemed speakers at graduation ceremonies all around the country. Fortunately, you don’t have to be marching to “Pomp and Circumstance” to benefit from this wisdom. We’ve rounded up 12 of the best life lessons, offered up by some very accomplished people at university commencement ceremonies. The speakers include a world leader, a captain of industry, an astronaut, an NFL quarterback and an awardwinning artist or two.

Sheryl Sandberg

Chief Operating Officer, Facebook Commencement: UCBerkeley

Lesson: How to survive the hardest times in life.

“Dave’s death changed me in very profound ways. I learned about the depths of sadness and the brutality of loss. But I also learned that when life sucks you under, you can kick against the bottom, break the surface and breathe again. I learned that in the face of the void — or in the face of any challenge — you can choose joy and meaning.

Finding gratitude and appreciation is key to resilience. People who take the time to list things they are grateful for are happier and healthier. It turns out that counting your blessings can actually increase your blessings. My New Year’s resolution this year is to write down three moments of joy before I go to bed each night. This simple practice has changed my life.”

Barack Obama

President of the United States Commencement: Rutgers University Lesson: Learn from people you don’t agree with.

“If you disagree with somebody, bring them in and ask them tough questions. Hold their feet to the fire. Make them defend their positions. If somebody has got a bad or offensive idea, prove it wrong. Engage it. Debate it. Stand up for what you believe in. Don’t be scared to take somebody on. Don’t feel like you’ve got to shut your ears off because you’re too fragile, and somebody might offend your sensibilities. Go at them if they’re not making any sense. Use your logic and reason and words. And by doing so, you’ll strengthen your own position, and you’ll hone your arguments. And maybe you’ll learn something and realize you don’t know everything.”

Scott Kelly

Retired NASA astronaut who spent 340 days aboard the International Space Station Commencement: University of Houston Lesson: Focus on the task at hand. “In those moments when you’re doing something that could be life-changing, whether it’s in space or in your career, you need to constantly remind yourselves that there is nothing more important than what you’re doing right now.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Tony- and Pulitzer Prizewinning creator and star of “Hamilton” Commencement: University of Pennsylvania Lesson: Life is all about the stories you tell yourself. “The stories we tell vs. the stories we leave out will reverberate across the rest of your life. … My dear terrified graduates, you are about to enter the most uncertain and thrilling period of your lives. The stories you are about to live are the ones you will be telling your children and grandchildren and therapists.”

Russell Wilson

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Commencement: University of Wisconsin Lesson: When life tells you “no.”

“Potential just means you haven’t done it yet. Already in my career, I’ve seen that lots of people have potential, but not everyone does it. And I’ve learned that the difference isn’t the way people handle themselves when things go well. When you land the job you want or you go to the school you want or achieve a goal even earlier than you expected, go ahead and celebrate. Be happy, enjoy it. But remember that the moments when life tells you ‘yes’ aren’t the ones that define you. The moments that really matter are the moments when life tells you ‘no’.”

Matt Damon

Academy Award-winning actor, filmmaker, Harvard University dropout Commencement: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lesson: Build your “armor” through failure. “You’re going to fail sometimes, and that’s a good thing. For all the amazing successes I’ve