Thursday, August 1, 2013

Graduation Advice: Try to Be Kinder

The author George Saunders recently delivered the Commencement address at Syracuse University.  The beginning of the speech chronicles several regrets in his life, including a seven month illness brought on by swimming in a river in Sumatra that was laden with monkey feces.  (The point:  He's had some "major league" regrets.)  What makes this speech so remarkable, however, is what Saunders regrets most in his life:  failures of kindness.  The speech has been reproduced in the New York Times Magazine (click here for access) and is well worth the short amount of time it takes to read.  Still need convincing?  Here's an excerpt of the conclusion of the speech: 

"... To the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.  Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.  That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality – your soul, if you will – is as bright and shining as any that has ever been.  Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Theresa’s.  Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place.  Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly.

And someday, in 80 years, when you’re 100, and I’m 134, and we’re both so kind and loving we’re nearly unbearable, drop me a line, let me know how your life has been.  I hope you will say: It has been so wonderful."

Hopefully, this wisdom will spread far beyond Syracuse University's class of 2013!

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