High school graduation speeches are meant to inspire and guide young adults as they step into the next phase of their lives. However, too often, the advice given is impractical, overly idealistic, and fails to prepare students for the harsh realities of adulthood. A recent example from a 30-year-old teacher at a graduation ceremony today underscored this issue. His speech, which was excessively long and centered on his own personal achievements, primarily the pursuit of happiness. This highlights the disconnect between well-meaning advice and the realities graduates will face.
The teacher’s exhortation for graduates to “pursue happiness” is problematic because it oversimplifies life’s complexities and sets an unrealistic expectation. Happiness is not a constant state but a fleeting emotion that comes and goes. By encouraging young people to chase after happiness, we risk setting them up for disappointment when life inevitably presents challenges and hardships. Instead of focusing solely on happiness, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of resilience and the ability to navigate life’s ups and downs and persevere.
A more constructive approach would be to instill the importance of finding purpose and shouldering responsibility. Life is filled with struggles, and without a sense of purpose, individuals are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and a sense of emptiness. Taking on responsibility, whether in personal relationships, career, or community, provides a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. It is through facing challenges and overcoming obstacles that individuals grow stronger and find meaning in their lives.
Filling young minds with false hope and unrealistic expectations can lead to significant psychological distress. When reality fails to match their idealistic visions, graduates may become bitter and disillusioned. This bitterness can manifest as a pervasive sense of victimhood, leading to a cycle of negativity and self-destruction. It is crucial to provide a balanced perspective that acknowledges life’s difficulties while also emphasizing the potential for growth and improvement through hard work and perseverance.
Graduation speeches should aim to empower students with realistic and practical advice. Encouraging them to work hard, take responsibility, and strive for continuous improvement is far more beneficial than promoting the pursuit of the emotion of simple “happiness” as an end goal.
By acknowledging the difficult hand life often deals and encouraging proactive efforts to make positive changes, we can better prepare graduates for the real world. Ultimately, the goal should be to inspire a generation of resilient, responsible, and purpose-driven individuals who can navigate life’s challenges with strength and determination. Educators would do better to to fill newly minted high school graduates heads with an ultimate life goal to be “happy.”
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