Critique the following Commencement Address utilizing the three stages of Perception.
Assignment is due prior to 11:59pm May the 23.. The submittal needs to have 2 plus preferable 3 full pages with complete sentences and paragraphs- see Rubric Case. No bullet dots or outline. Can attach examples and/or charts within the text but they should be supplementary material to the MANADATORY Appendix to the full and complete two/three pages. Please submit prior to 11:59pm on May the 23. Also, please review the Rubric Case, located in the Start Here folder, for the standards and requirements for the submittal.
Submittal MUST be in APA format Writing. Example is provided in the Start Here folder.
Maximum point value is 25 points
Commencement Address
May 15, 2010
Thank you Dr. Lemanski
It is a great and awesome day is it not? And indeed, a pleasure to be standing
here in front of all of you. I am very humbled with this experience.
Vice Chancellor Ashley, President Jones, distinguished members of the platform
party, esteemed faculty, graduates and guests welcome to the May 2010
Graduate Commencement ceremonies of Texas A&M University-Commerce
and thank you for your attendance.
Today I would like to speak on Reflection and Perception. So, we begin with the
right perception I have been reminded that I stand between you and
graduation so I will keep my comments brief. Also, I shamefully do not recall the
speaker nor the subjects presented during my previous graduations so I am very
perceptive of that.
As you can see, I am not the Traditional Student or Doctoral Graduate and
many of you may be thinking he is long in the tooth. But, actually, that
presence of age provides the credentials for being eligible and qualified to
speak on both Reflection and Perception.
Regardless of your role in life, whether it be son/daughter, father, mother,
Granddad/Grandmother, brother/sister/granddaughter/grandson; I am asking
you to pause and think with me for a few minutes about Reflection and
Perception.
AS we begin to Reflect and Perceive, I will provide some background.
Reflection in todays context is careful mental concentration and thought. For
Instance, our most precious item on earth is time! In this context we might take
from Jim Croces lyrics and song Time in a Bottle; time to pause and think
about the following If I could save time in a bottle, The First thing that Id like to
do Is to save every day Till Eternity passes away. Or possibly thinking about the
changes you have experienced you might extract the lyrics from music
Composer Boris Fomin, and singer Mary Hopkins song Those Were the Days My
Friend which speaks to Nothing seems the way it used to be. Or in a context
of looking back, maybe one would simply have a thought as a question
Would I do it all over again?
Perception is attaining awareness through insight, intuition or knowledge that has
been gained. We can begin to transition to perception with these words I
cannot comprehend the distance between this place and the future. For, as
long as, I can remember, I have been living for tomorrow and not for today.
Does this sound familiar? It does for me, I was continually reaching for tomorrow
and as I reflect back, I now perceive that I missed the day and so much along
the way.
Now perceive this new life. Again, the chance to go deep within your
mind. Before you leave this place, you have been brought to today, capture the
moment because as you leave you will never again be the same. Can you hear
the call? Can you see the truth? Can you feel the power?
And now you may be asking yourself how can I apply this? If I may take a few
liberties and without coming across as being egoistical please walk down
memory lane with me. As I reflect, lets turn back the clock 40 years and it is May
1970 and I am sitting out there just as you are today. For me it seems like only
yesterday but in actuality it was in the last century. The world was my oyster as
I was graduating with an MBA and had on the previous evening been
commissioned into the United States Air Force as a 2nd Lt. This institution of higher
education had prepared me and I was ready to begin the journey of meeting
lifes challenges and climbing the preverbal corporate ladder within my
career. My perception then of success was my internal driver to better myself
and obtain a professional career, one that had not ever been achieved or
reached by anyone within my family tree.
Thus, began a life of dedication and full commitment to the job or the current
position or opportunity. My driver was the George Washington dollar. Sacrifice
of time with family was made time and time again, as it was thought, that it was
necessary in order to continue the climb and reach levels of recognition and
promotion which resulted in economic benefits and enhancements. My wife
and I settled into a marriage which had prescribed and expected roles and the
moments of sharing and togetherness were squeezed into time gaps on my daily
calendar. As my children grew up in front of me, I only experienced them when I
was home after traveling to whatever destination and wherever in the world. It
was my personal conviction that all of the accomplishments and achievements
would result in the ultimate personal satisfaction in life and this was its true
meaning. There was the ever-present rationalization with the statement there will
be a time for us in the future.
Even with each promotion the 21st Century brought change with far reaching
implications, doubts as to the reality of it all and a nagging question. Is this all
there is? And when the corporate life was over, I still had that question, Is this all
there is?
But as I reflect back, I realize that success can be measured in many other ways,
other than the next promotion, bonus or new title. Although these things are
great and can be measured in quantitative terms, unless it is within balance with
your personal life, and your spiritual growth, your family, and your health, so
much can be missed or forever lost along the way. For one means little without
the other. Keeping your life and career in balance with the proper perception
can fulfill your dreams, goals, wants and needs during your journey in life with no
regrets.
Within my perception, I now realize success and greatness can also come from
being a mentor, an inspirer, a motivator and a true leader. Although these
factors cannot be measured quantitatively, they are necessary components of
a successful career for they can be the most gratifying and heart felt feelings of
satisfaction and can even inspire you to even greater heights.
As you are reflecting, do you recall those individuals or persons that inspired you,
and in those situations when you thought you had reached your limitations their
input or influence carried you forward and resulted in your achievement today.
I can. She is present today. She is my wife. Do you want to inspire others, to
motivate, to lead, and encourage them to greatness? Because, if you do, you
have developed not only wisdom but you have already raised your level of
success and achievement. Are you prepared to walk hand in hand keeping in
perspective the balance of time within your life goals? If you are, you have the
start and foundation that so many others will never have and unfortunately, they
will miss so much along the way.
This speech addressing Reflection and Perception does, however, require some
action on each of our part. It requires us to develop our Personal Development
Plan. Ensure that within this Personal Development Plan it has a balanced life
with time for the enjoyment of all things as one of your goals. Then stay focus on
these goals. Ensure the achievement of these goals by continuing your life
learning education to ensure that you are always informed and knowledgeable.
Always remember that personal sacrifice today will be rewarded later from your
achievements. But, never, sacrifice time balance with family and friends nor
shortcut your spiritual growth. Always keep the following in perception: There is
no such thing as failure. Life may take many different turns and offer many
crossroads to choose from, but whatever your choice and the final outcome, will
never result in failure but take from it the growth and strength gained from
persevering.
And please do not forget this great institution that provided the initial foundation
and accordingly give back in the proportion that it has given to you. Do not
forget these people who shared with you the basic principles and concepts that
you will be applying for the remainder of your life nor the organizations and
facilities that provided the capabilities for your learning experience and resulting
personal development.
As we leave this assembly, we will open the door to a new beginning. Lets keep
in perception what is the true meaning of life and how we are going to
participate in its unfolding. Enjoy and share your achievements as well as your
plans. Always keep an interest in your career, however humble, as it is truly a
treasure during the changing of times. However, keep your perception; the
career is only a part of your total self. Engage and enjoy the love that surrounds
you and give back the love that is received.
If I may revert back to my corporate training and give you a few bullet dots to
take with you today; they would include:
Find the time to do the things that are truly important to you
Keep your priorities straight and in balance
Create your Personal Development Plan
Continue your life learning experiences
Think before you react realizing how your actions can impact others
Be fair and equitable
Be humble
And most importantly, remember to have fun along the way.
In the order of things, there is a fine line between fate and destiny. Therefore,
you would probably expect the following comments from an Age of Aquarius
student from the sixties. To quote from Max Ehrmanns poem from 1927, entitled
Desiderata, You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and stars, You
have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the
universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever
you conceive him to be.
Now, graduates, since we have reflected and perceived, let us walk across this
platform and begin our new lives
