This past Saturday, former President Bill Clinton gave the commencement speech at Columbia College in Columbia, SC. He talked about the pursuit of happiness. I read an article by Andy Brack, in this mornings CharlestonCurrents.com. Take a moment to read his piece. He certainly made a lot of good points as did President Clinton.
Are you back now? Good, lets go on. The following quote hit home for me.
"Thomas Jefferson, when he was helping to pen our founding documents, said that we are all endowed by our creator with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness -- not with the right of happiness, but the pursuit of happiness. Turns out the joy is in the pursuit. And the real personal value of a university diploma is that it gives you more choices and more power to follow your heart as well as your mind.
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"It's been my experience in life that most people are happiest when they do what they're best at. But the importance is to do what you wish most deeply to do, because then it doesn't feel like work. People tell me all of the time that I'm working too hard, but I don't work but an hour a day because I like what I'm doing."
I totally agree with what President Clinton said in these two paragraphs. I actually know first hand what it is like to pursue happiness. That is exactly what I have been doing since last Summer. I was not really happy with what I had been doing for the past 60 years and decided to take a leap of faith in myself and step off the cliff. What broke my fall was my friends and family who supported my efforts and helped convince me I had a talent for photography.
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The one thing that I would like to emphasize is that it is important to get a good education. It is even more important to study something that you really love or you will regret it for the rest of your life. I know that things look pretty bleak for new graduates but those of you who are doing something you really love will be much happier and healthier for doing so.
To all the graduates, live your life with gusto and never take your eye off the brass ring. If you don't reach for the ring, you will never be able to attain your dreams.
Good luck to all of you and may your lives be filled with happiness and success.
Michael Kaynard is a local photographer who lives in West Ashley. His photos can be viewed at http://kaynardphotography.webs.com. He can be reached at mkaynard@gmail.com or 843-412-2299.