Another year…another crop of university grads\u00a0prepare to unleash their magic on the world.\u00a0 My daughter graduated 2 years ago….as all parents know it’s a bittersweet time…it fills your heart to see the grown-up ‘kid’ ready to take it on and on the flip side\u00a0it’s the final letting go. Being a M.O.M\u00a0(who has learned to pick her moments) I saw this as a great opportunity to offer some unsolicited advice!<\/p>\n
I knew I had seconds to grab her attention so ‘Tip’ our beloved pooch (pictured) ,\u00a0was\u00a0cast as cover girl and dressed appropriately for the occasion. \u00a0It had to be short (5 minutes reading time) so I\u00a0boiled it down to 10 things.\u00a0 There was an unexpected bonus. I originally conceived this as\u00a0wisdom I was\u00a0passing\u00a0to her \u00a0but as I got into it I saw it was a review of my<\/em> values and standards, examining\u00a0the clarity behind them and coming to an understanding of what matters most to me.\u00a0 It landed up as a gift to both of us. I highly recommend writing ……A LOVE LETTER FROM MOM.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0A<\/strong>s you leave the confines of school and begin to build your life there are a few things I want to pass along. They have served me well and I hope they do the same for you. I know you will always do things your way because that\u2019s who you are….an independent, bright, strong willed young woman. <\/em>Think of this as something\u00a0 to fall back on.<\/p>\n BE A LIFELONG LEARNER <\/strong>\u2013 Remain curious your whole life! Never stop asking questions. Always be excited and enthusiastic about new things. Our \u2018education\u2019 continues every day there is always more to know. If help or support is offered by those who came before you graciously accept, they have something to teach you. Learn everything you can, anytime you can from anyone you can!<\/p>\n SUCCESS AND FAILURE ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT\u2013 <\/strong>Remember that success or failure is never final. Often \u2018failure\u2019 can be the best thing as it can trigger the \u2018perfect\u2019 shift in direction or thinking. Failure prepares us for success and is very necessary. How we use our failures and humbly enjoy our successes, \u00a0shows what we\u2019re made of and who we are.<\/p>\n BE WILLING<\/strong> \u2013 “Back at ya” –When I asked you 2 years ago to define a can do<\/em> attitude you told me you have to be \u2018willing\u2019…willing to do what it takes, willing to work hard and willing to be brave in the face of adversity. That was an amazingly astute and simple message which I passed along to over 2500 students and educators I was working with at the time.<\/p>\n TAKE RISKS<\/strong> –\u00a0 If you wait to do\u00a0everything until you’re sure it’s right, you’ll probably never do much of anything.\u00a0Think BIG thoughts you can always create small steps to get there! Sometimes playing it safe<\/em> is the way to go and other times you just have to GO FOR IT! Don\u2019t be afraid just start, you\u2019ll figure it out as you go! I know you’re a risk taker by nature–Keep it up!<\/p>\n CREATIVITY IS OFTEN CONSIDERED MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWLEDGE <\/strong>\u2013Your innate creativity will help you to create more opportunities than you find. No problem will be insurmountable and life will be full of surprises.\u00a0 Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our creativity and imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0You have a gift use it and trust it<\/p>\n A GREAT LIFE NEEDS MEANING<\/strong> \u2013 We can seek to have FUN in life but to be truly great life needs meaning. We find meaning through devoting ourselves to loving others, helping and supporting those around us and building our local and global communities. Always find ways to contribute and give. I read a quote by John Wooden (UCLA most winning basketball coach in history) that I\u2019ve never forgotten.\u00a0 You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.<\/em><\/p>\n