Advice to graduates

By John Sheda

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Last week, my youngest granddaughter graduated ... from preschool! Yep, she's ready for the real world. The world of Kindergarten! Besides her however, there are others graduating, from elementary school, high school and college.

Someone once remarked that old men love giving advice as it soothes their soul because they are no longer able to give bad examples. Well, I'm nearing old, it does soothe my soul, and I've sure left many a bad example over the years.

So to all you graduates, here's this old man's advice:

First and foremost, be kind. Open doors for others, use the words “please, thank you, I'm sorry” and “you look nice today.” Kindness will open many doors in your lifetime.

Friends come and go over the years, but family sticks around. Love your family.

Be cognizant during any conversation of how many times you use the word “I.”

Remember, you are not the center of the universe. Not even close.

Oh, and life is not at all like Burger King - you don't always get to have it your way.

Your life is your life. So stop blaming others, making excuses, feeling sorry for yourself. Your life is your choice.

Sometimes you cannot do anything about the “winds of life.” But you can always adjust “the sails.”

Every once in a while, add up how much money you're frittering away. You will be surprised.

There's a great money management rule few people adhere to, yet it pays big dividends: 10 percent to yourself, 10 percent to charity, 80 percent to live on.

When you are in a situation about making a moral decision, follow your heart. It will tell you to do the right thing.

Learn this one quickly: No one cares if you can't dance. So what. Get up and dance anyway.

Every single day of your life, help someone who has no way of repaying you.

Find someone who has been there and done that and made it through. Learn from them. Eventually, be that person to someone else.

The day you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a way that when you die, the world will cry and you will rejoice.

That's The Way I See It. Let me know some of your advice.

John Sheda is pastor of Living Water Church in Independence. Comments: jsheda@indytel.com or (319) 334-4117.