Written by Edgar Luna

These past few weeks I have had the opportunity to be invited and witness several graduation ceremonies from different levels of education. Some from college and others from high school, but it is that time of year where many students end their journey through school.

As I heard so many speeches that talk about hope and inspiration to continue on, to be better versions of themselves, it got me thinking of different things.

For many of us, that went through a similar process, starting very young in school and every year doing what was necessary to be able to move on and to pass to the next grade.

Then we continued the same process year after year graduating elementary then middle school , then high school, then college. Each stage represents a journey which is celebrated by some type of ceremony to culminate a journey.

And as we reach these milestones we might get to a point where we think:

What’s next?

For recent graduates it might be the excitement of a new job or maybe continuing with more education. At that point in time there are many emotions for the uncertainty of what comes next.

During those ceremonies I observed thousands of young students that some time ago were committed to take a journey that lasted many years and in the process, they built relationships, faced and conquered many challenges, did things that they did not know were possible, opened their eyes to two different ways of thinking and became a part of something bigger than any individual.

I also observed all around them and saw so many people supporting their students and thinking of how inspiring they are to many of us.

From the young children looking on and envisioning themselves in the same place in a few years from now.

To the family members that maybe did not have the opportunity to experience what these students did and see how they have grown.

From those teachers and mentors that look back to thousands of hours of effort, sharing their time with people that thirst for someone to see them and mentor them.

To the parents that let go and entrust their kids to do the right thing and place their trust in God to give them the peace of mind that everything will be ok.

Similar to this there are many ceremonies that symbolize the culmination of a journey, and as I experience each one I think of all the daily effort a person makes to finish something and maybe takes it for granted.

During life we will have many milestones and we need to recognize we reach a goal, stop and celebrate your accomplishments, maybe once in a while, not as formal as a graduation but something that makes you feel good.

Maybe you know someone that recently has reached a goal , if so, why not give them some recognition and make them aware that what they have done, inspires others to do something similar and strive to be better.

Recognition is a powerful motivator for any human being. It is a fact that any of us have the power to provide recognition by doing something as simple as a gesture of saying some kind words.

We have to recognize that a “Culmination of a Journey” is not something easy and when we celebrate it, it inspires us to do more.

E. Luna