Life lessons with a side of sunscreen

"Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself." - Mary Schmich

June means graduation for millions of high schoolers and college kids. A time when these young adults close one chapter and open the next. As adults, we have very few milestones that make us reflect on our lives. Mostly just birthdays ending in zero: 30, 40, 50. Ugh.

As I think about the 18 and the 22-year-old me, I can't help but to remember that famous song, "Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen)" by Baz Luhrmann. The words were originally written by Mary Schmich as a column for the Chicago Tribune in 1997, but erroneously attributed to Kurt Vonnegut as part of a commencement speech to MIT grads. Although my graduation day is long behind me and I've come to accept, albeit reluctantly, the chore of being an adult, I still find Schmich's advice to be incredibly solid. No matter how much we accomplish in the workplace, there are just certain things in life that will always truly matter more than others.

It's been a long time since I've listened to Luhrmann's song, so I enjoyed hearing it again. I hope you do, too, and that it adds some perspective to your otherwise busy day. Because when your work day has ended, after the computer is shut off, and once you've finished shining your awards or dusting off your plaques, isn't it just blissfully invigorating to dance, sing and give your loved ones a hug?

Be happy, my friends...



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9 comments:

  1. I use that for a a program graduation I do. Still love it

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  2. Fourteen years old and still holds up, eh? I just love the words that Mchmich wrote. They're so relevant and really help you put things in perspective.

    Thanks for chiming in, Todd ;-)

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  3.  Fabulous quote-so true :-)

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  4. Sometimes we all just need those great little reminders, huh?

    Thanks for stopping by, Vanessa! #VanessaRules

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  5. My English teacher gave us a speech about this song during our last week of school (he even gave us a card to keep!). Years later I found him on Facebook and it was a pleasant surprise. I will have to share this with him. Thanks Amber!

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  6. Don't you just love good teachers!

    Thanks for adding to the discussion, Sukhraj! Always nice to hear your thoughts on the subject at hand ;-)

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  7. Hey, you shine and polish your awards too?....................

    It's been awhile since I had heard that; very appropriate. My sons are recent grads, one from law school, one from undergrad and they are just beginning to find their own way. It is a little sad when those chapters close after graduation, but exciting to see what the future will bring.

    Thanks for sharing; did you follow me yet?............just askin'...........

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  8. I have so many awards now that I had to hire a staff to clean and polish them ;-) Ha!

    Congrats on the boys! I'm sure they have bright futures ahead of them.

    Why do you keep mentioning me following you? I've been following you back for eons. Yeah, eons. Like from the dinosaur days. I've been following since T-Rex was eating cavemen...

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  9. I might be a social media goofus, but yes, I know you follow me. I'm obnoxious like that; I will grab on to something you say and fully know it doesn't apply to me but will try to make it a 'funny'. 

    In fact, I thought you would have a sense of my 'sense of humor' by now. Nothing it sacred, trust me.............:)

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