Grads

Graduations.
    And yet any other word that has so much meaning, that words don't need to explain.
There seems to be a lot of this happening right now. It's not a horrible event, just a life changing one. High school graduates are now going to college, and college grads are entering the "real" world forever. But while this takes place, so many different emotions are too.
   Happiness.
       Nervousness.
            Fear.
               Love.
                 Excitement.
                    Encouragement.
                       JOY.
                         Accomplishment!
And so many other emotions can be going through a person, that its hard to pick one to say how it feels to finally stand and accept that diploma.
    Though graduating high school is not the first time we've felt those feelings, at that moment in time its like it is the first time those emotions exist. In this life we do a lot of graduation it seems like. From kindergarten we go to the first grade but schools make it a big deal that we were able to follow the rules for the first year. From fifth grade we move on to sixth but yet again this is a big move in our education. We are now entering the "pre-teen" world. Can't forget the move from eighth grade to ninth where we enter "true" teenager hood. And then there is our last "big" graduation  from high school where we separate those who are strong willed and those willing to work for what they want. After that, those willing to work for what they want move from college to the work force
    As family and  friends go with us through each of these phases in life, we also separate those who will be there forever and those just passing through our lives.(Whether or not we always agree with them) Some have great advice for us, and others are figuring it out along side us. But what really makes the difference is what we are going to do with our life to help others. How our actions will affect those around us, even those lives that we may not even know.
   Because as I watched my friends and family accept their diplomas, I felt sure that whatever life holds for them it can be great. My best friend is now part of the general population and I cried as she walked tall and accepted what she earned. Now, she wasn't the only person I cried for but definitely the first person on Sunday. ( I never used to cry, now milk spills and I cry!) SO what do we do after this day?
   In a few years, I will be graduation. (thinking, "crap! what am I going to become now?") This sense of urgency has taken over me as I wonder what I want to do with the rest of my life. I enjoy science but I love English. (even if I can't spell worth a crap) I'm really good under pressure but at the same time, I don't like to be stress all the time.  But I'm more concerned with what I'm doing today and tomorrow that worries me. Am I causing trouble in society or am I helping further my community. So what will my actions be tomorrow?
   Maybe its being kind to someone who really needs it that day. Or maybe its something more dramatic such as venting and feeling stressed. Every action we take has the ability to affect someone else's life. So as you go about your day, I'm going to ask you to think how you are affecting those around you. And think really about it, is it positive? Negative? How can you change to make your attitude better for everyone?  
 Thanks for taking a serious moment,
         Riss