Advice for a Recent Graduate

Dear Young Adult,

See what I did there?  I called you a young adult.  It may freak you out but you'll soon find out that it's pretty fun.  It is my privilege to share with you a few words of encouragement as you're graduating.  Hold on tight!

1.  Breathe.  Your life may run in fast forward for a little bit.  When you have a chance, take a breath and look at where you are.  Take time to appreciate the highs as well as the lows.  

2.  Party.  Let me explain.  My favorite Sunday School lesson I've ever taught was entitled, "Jesus Partied and So Should You."  Jesus understood the value of fellowship.  He didn't spend his 33 years on earth a hermit.  He surrounded himself with a variety of people, made genuine friends, and celebrated with them. The first miracle recorded was performed at a wedding, aren't you glad He was on the guest list?  

3.  Forgive.  Forgiving others can be easy;  Forgiving yourself, not so much.  You may be amazed at the dumb things you can be capable of doing.  Whether it's relationships, class loads, finances, fashion choices, or forgetting your mothers birthday; something may slip through your better thinking.  Give yourself the gift of grace and forgiveness.

Remember there's a community of people cheering you on your journey.  You'll be great.

Dulce