As we’re preparing for our son’s high school graduation, I’ve never been so aware of his potential and all the opportunities he has. I remember when I graduated from high school, it felt like the world was at my fingertips. I was considered an adult, high school life was behind me, and I was poised to do anything I wanted (well, within means).
While our graduating students are full of potential, so are we. They may have youth on their sides, but we have experience, maturity and sometimes more of a drive to get ‘er done. We know what it takes to make it in this life just from basic life experience.
I want to implore all the graduates this year to remember that their potential is limited only by themselves. Don’t let circumstances stand in your way or hold you back. When I was a young college student, a friend of mine wanted to join the Navy to work on missiles. They denied her access to that program. So, she graduated from the University of Texas with a 4.0 GPA in aeronautical engineering and went on to earn a fellowship with MIT. She later developed the patriot missile software and other top secret military software. Did she have potential? You bet. Was she rejected by the Navy? Yes she was. But, she didn’t let that stop her. She persevered (another great P word) and found a different path, which ended up much better for her.
My point is that we each have potential to do many great things in this life. If you want to teach, become a lawyer, or have a family and homeschool your children, THEN DO IT. Find a way and tap into that potential that is yours and yours alone. If you are rejected, denied, or turned away, then find a detour to your dream, but don’t give up on it.
Consider the lowly rubberband. By itself it is a little round thing that sits on a table, doing nothing. However, when it’s stretched back and pulled taut, THAT is when it’s potential is seen. The farther back it is stretched, the farther it will go. So, test your potential. See how far back you can stretch yourself and then see where you land once you’ve launched. I think you’ll be surprised…and I don’t care how old you are. Potential is not just for the young … it’s for anyone willing to stretch beyond their current limits to see where they can soar.
