What a joy to be back on a college campus. What a privilege to watch a bright and beautiful young lady graduate, with honors from University of Oregon. I may be a bit partial since Taylor and I both have an undergraduate degree in psychology.

There were two ceremonies; all graduates in one humongous stadium in the morning and a more intimate one for specific majors in the evening. As I listened to all the speakers-graduates, keynotes, deans, and the president, two sentiments reoccured.

Two ideas that apply to all of us, not only recent graduates:

• A tremendous sense of pride
• Failure leads to greater and deeper learning

Pride: These students have such pride for their university. Every student speaker talked warmly about what it means to be a Duck. Once a Duck always a Duck. Over and over, students and family put their hands together to make the famous capital “O” (see Taylor above). The sense of collegiality made an impression on me. And, I wondered how this sense of “we are all in this together,” could be transferred to the communities where we live, the schools our younger children attend, and the places we work. It’s out there, yes, though I’ve never seen pride run so deep in so many people.

Failure: From graduates to the University of Oregon president, the message of failure and how it’s part of the growing process was mentioned enough times for me to still be thinking about it a week later.  How many times have I (or you) avoided a risk because it might not be a success? I am inspired that these Ducks learned a valuable lesson, outside of a textbook!

JK Rowling was quoted, “It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you lives so cautiously that you might as well not lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”

I don’t have all the answers for creating an amazing sense of camaraderie in my neighborhood, at my job, or even in my classroom. I do have a longing to try.  As for failure, I know I can learn a thing or two from JK Rowling. How about you?

Congrats to all 2016 graduates. The world is already better by having you in it.

Slainte!

Susan