More words for graduates

The day before the Wisconsin recall election I wrote some words for graduates, and I thought that was what I wanted to say.  Then events of the last couple of days led me to some more words.  And no, the results of the election have little, if anything, to do with these thoughts.

Some of you will be rich, some will struggle to just get by.  Some of you will get married, some several times.  Some of you will live long, some not so long.  That's just the way it is.  

You will meet far more people as you go off to your lives.  Remember that we are all in this thing we call life together.  When somebody needs help, help them.  And don't wait for them to ask.  Reach down and grab their and pull them up, drag them along with you until you are both walking tall and proud.

Young ladies, don't do anything that is going to end you up in a Girls Gone Wild video.  You can all be strong and independent.  And, if you have the same skills and talents as a man and are doing the same job as them, don't let anybody ever tell you that you aren't worth every penny that they get.

Young men, you are going to be the minority in the work force.  Deal with it.  If you are fortunate enough to meet and marry the woman of your dreams, treat her right.  

As historic the Wisconsin recall supposedly was, something more historic occurred just as the voting wound down and the polls closed.  Venus was in transit.  Briefly, this is when Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun.  What makes it historic is that it won't happen again for 105 years, unlike elections.  Historic is that you have the right to vote.  Do so, but don't ever be surprised that elections don't change much.  

Sometime during the evening of June 5, Ray Bradbury died. Some of you may have read Fahrenheit 451.  He was my favorite author who did all the right authority things.  He said, about writing, but really it applies to all your life as well, "You've got to jump off cliff all the time and build your wings on the way down."

Jump off a few cliffs in your lives.  Take risks.  Build some wings.

Congratulations Class of 2012.  

Be careful out there, and bring your towels.