Graduation is a time for reflection, celebration, and anticipation of the future. For the graduates of 2024, the journey ahead is filled with excitement and endless possibilities, mixed with the reality of challenges and trials.

As you step into the life of tomorrow, I share these simple “Power of Three” principles that can guide you through this pivotal moment by choosing to be an Intentional Leader focused on Building a Community, Creating Your Own Story, and Rising and Soaring.

BUILD A COMMUNITY

The power of individual achievement is magnified when you are part of a community that shares your values while also embracing diversity in thought. A community offers support, inspiration, and collective strength. Imagine your goals as seeds; they flourish best in the rich soil of a nurturing community.

Throughout my life, I’ve seen how communities can lift individuals to heights they might never have reached alone. When we connect with others who inspire and challenge us, we find the motivation to achieve more. Whether it’s a study group, a professional network, or a circle of friends, the connections we build can provide invaluable support and guidance.

Being part of a community means contributing to something larger than yourself. It’s about sharing your strengths and learning from others. By working together, we can overcome obstacles and celebrate successes that might be impossible on our own. As you step into and create the next chapter of your life, seek out and build your community. Engage, contribute, and grow together with intentional leadership.

CREATE YOUR OWN STORY

Not long after I graduated from Richfield High School in 1984, the mother-daughter country music duo The Judds released their hit song “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days).” The lyrics resonated deeply with many:

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

These words remind us of the power of storytelling and the importance of creating our own narratives. As graduates, you are at the beginning of your own stories. Each decision you make, each path you choose, will add to the rich tapestry of your life. Someday, you’ll look back and share your own “good old days” with your children and grandchildren, and with others who will be part of your future generations.

Crafting your story requires intentional leadership. Make conscious choices, take responsibility for your actions, and lead your life in a direction that reflects your values and aspirations.

RISE & SOAR

As parents, watching our children chase their dreams is one of life’s greatest honors. Whether their aspirations are modest or monumental, fostering and nurturing those dreams is a privilege. As parents, we play a crucial role in their journey, much like an eagle caring for its young before they take their first flight.

The process of letting go is both beautiful and bittersweet. We’ve guided them through their early years, teaching them to crawl, walk, and run. Now, it’s time for them to fly. Like the eagle encouraging its fledglings to leave the nest, we must trust in their strength and preparation.

Seeing our children rise and soar, pursuing their passions and carving out their paths, fills us with pride. Our encouragement and support help them spread their wings, ready to explore the vast possibilities before them. This is where intentional leadership comes into play again–providing guidance without holding them back, and empowering them to navigate their own journeys.

To the graduates: As you embark on this exciting new chapter, remember that this is your time to soar. Embrace the journey with confidence, knowing that you have the support of your community, the power to create your own story, and the encouragement to reach for the skies as you rise and soar.

You are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and values that will guide you through the challenges and triumphs ahead. Trust in your abilities, lead with intention, and remember that the sky is not the limit–it is just the beginning. Rise and soar, my friends, and make your mark on the world!

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 their feathers remain

❤️❤️❤️

Have a great Monday! Thanks for letting me share.

I Love You!

Les Patterson

p.s. Take 13 minutes today to celebrate how you are intentionally soaring! 

Base Image: Vicki Hamilton, Pixabay

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