What an anti-climatic ending 2020 has been for America’s 3 million-plus high school seniors. The figuratively best years of their life has been upended by our new friend Coronavirus.

That’s gotta stink!

Or does it???

The reality is hard. No question. Yet, so are the opportunities for graduates to discover their greatness and create their own futures. What wonderful opportunities we have as parents and those of us in positions of influence to lead and help our graduates discover how they can soar!

One way we can do this is to intentionally change the language we use about the current situation. Do we mimic the words of discontentment spreading like a wildfire through social media? Or do we acknowledge the hard while also intentionally helping them discover the humor in the situation, the way they can rise to the occasion, and serve others in the process?

We have a voice! Now, more than ever, our children and those we influence need to hear our voice.

POWER OF THREE FOR GRADUATES

If I had the opportunity to speak to any graduate of 2020, my Power of Three suggestions would focus on Building A Community, Create Your Own Story, and It’s Time To Soar.

BUILD A COMMUNITY

I have been greatly impressed by the creativity shown by students, teachers, parents, and community members. Driveby celebrations. Personalized yard signs at the homes of graduates. Virtual celebrations.

Even celebrities and political leaders have creatively found ways to celebrate. Last Friday night a virtual nationwide graduation event was held. “Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020” carried an overwhelming message of community. President Barack Obama was the commencement speaker.

No matter your political leanings, it would be an honor to have any current or former President of the United States speak at your graduation.

President Obama’s message focused on the power of individual achievement combined by the power of community.

“Graduating is a big achievement under any circumstances,” he said. “Some of you have had to overcome serious obstacles along the way.”

He also recognized the reality of a global health crisis would force these 2020 graduates to grow up much faster than they may have otherwise.

“When everything’s up for grabs, this is your generation’s world to shape,” Obama said. “This pandemic has shaken up the status quo.”

The former president ended his remarks with a final piece of advice: Build A Community.

“No one does big things by themselves. If we’re going to save the environment and defeat future pandemics, we’re going to have to do it together. So be alive to one another’s struggles. Stand up for one another’s rights. Leave behind all the old ways of thinking that divide us.”

CREATE YOUR OWN STORY

Not long after I graduated from Richfield High School in 1984, the mother/daughter country music duo The Judds recorded the #1 hit song “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days).”

Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old days
Sometimes it feels like this world’s gone crazy
And Grandpa, take me back to yesterday
When the line between right and wrong
Didn’t seem so hazy

Someday, 2020 will be the Good Old Days for our kids. Encourage them now to think about the stories they’ll remember and be able to share with their children and grandchildren

“Grandpa, tell us again how you didn’t have to go to school!”

Or, maybe a lot more likely,

“Grandma, tell us about the old fashion days when you actually went to a school building!”

IT’S TIME TO SOAR!

It’s an honor to see our children and those we love soar as they chase their dreams. Be they small or of epic portions, it’s an honor to be a part of fostering and nurturing those dreams as they spread their wings and soar.

Let us use our words, our encouragement, to help them soar!

SOAR YOU SHALL
by Les Patterson

Soar you shall
Into the outer reaches
Of the Wild Blue Yonder

Charting paths
Perhaps navigated by others
But now yours to claim

Stretching forth
Practically applying knowledge
Discovering potential unknown

Then someday
As you rise on created lift
Others you shall also help soar

Crawl
Walk
Run

Fly
Launch
Soar

No eagle
Who envisions the golden sky
In the nest his feathers remain

STILL YOUR YEAR

2020 is still your year! Soar my friends!

Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share!

Les

p.s. Take 13 minutes today to foster the desire to soar with your graduates!

Lead Eagle Photo By Ondřej Šponiar from Pixabay
Smart Phone Globe Photo by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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PERSONAL PROMISE PROCLAMATION

The Story You Most Consistently Create Will be The Story To Most Consistently Come True In Your Life. Intentionally Create A Beautiful, Powerful, Wonderful Story!

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Discover how you can better use the persuasive power of your story to better influence yourself and those you care about by scheduling a complimentary “Gain the Red Edge” mentoring call.

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