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marcoujor: Wise Words

6/21/2017

20 Comments

 
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​During this season of graduation, I’m reminded of the excitement and promise of my college days.
 
I recently heard this song, performed in spoken word by Baz Luhrmann and recorded in 1997.
 
The lyrics are taken from a famous essay, written in 1997 by Mary Schmich, a columnist with the Chicago Tribune.
 
I’m including both the video and the words. Written for “the class of 1999”, the wisdom within is timeless.​
Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 1999, wear sunscreen
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh, never mind
You will never understand the power and the beauty of your youth until they've faded
But trust me, in twenty years
You will look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now
How much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked
You are not as fat as you imagine
Don't worry about the future or worry that know that worrying
Is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4:00 P.M. on some idle Tuesday
Do one thing every day that scares you
Sing
Don't be reckless with other people’s hearts
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours
Floss
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
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements
Stretch
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what to do with your life
The most interesting people I know didn't know at twenty-two what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting forty year olds I know still don't
Get plenty of calcium
Be kind to knees, you'll miss them when they're gone
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll divorce at forty, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your seventy-fifth wedding anniversary
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much
Or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can
Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room
Read the directions even if you don't follow them
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good
Be nice to your siblings, they are your best link to your past
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future
Understand that friends come and go
But a precious few, who should hold on
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
For as the older you get, the more you need the people You knew when you were young
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard
Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft
Travel, accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders
Respect your elders, don't expect anyone else to support you
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
But you'll never know when either one might run out
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're forty
It will look eighty-five
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia
Dispensing it is a way of wishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off
Painting over the ugly parts and recycling for more than it's worth
But trust me on the sunscreen
Songwriters: Nigel Andrew Swanston and Tim Cox
​Congratulations to all graduates and their proud families.

​ShoutOuts

☙ One of those dreams via Martie’s Foyer
☙ The Great Canadian Rockies via Fireside with Rolly
☙ Jest 'nother day 't la hacienda de la crazyhorseladycx via Horse Biscuits
☙ MustRead: Bloody Point, my first faith-laced thriller by Linda J. White via flashPress

Until next week, wishing you much peace.
 
Hugs,
 
mar

​
20 Comments
Mike
6/21/2017 10:13:38 am

Good morning mar - hard to believe people are still graduating. The presentation sounded so familiar. I had to go and look, it borrows heavily from a movie called 'The Big Kahuna' and the screen writer borrowed heavily from Max Ehramann's 'Desiderata' - I guess the ultimate compliment to a writer is if someone steals your work.

Wow, graduation, all those possibilities.

Reply
Maria link
6/21/2017 08:52:31 pm

Not exactly the reaction I was expecting but thanks nevertheless, Mike.

Take care of yourself - you and your visits are appreciated.

Reply
Rolly A. Chabot link
6/21/2017 10:27:29 am

Hi Mar...
What a great article to read this morning over my morning cup of coffee. There is some sound advice for the younger generation of my time and the time of this youth. Especially as they go out and make their way into the world which is far different than the one I grew up in... well do Mar...

Hugs from Alberta

Reply
Maria link
6/21/2017 08:56:52 pm

Indeed, Rolly - time have changed dramatically since our college days.

Glad this was enjoyable with your morning coffee. Hugs, Maria

Reply
Cynthia Sageleaf link
6/21/2017 11:40:05 am

Mar -
It's always fun to read graduation speeches and the advice of others...even if those words are still inspired by...others lol.
It's also uncanny how everything, really, recycles itself. Haha.
I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday. :)

Reply
Maria link
6/21/2017 08:58:41 pm

Thanks for the visit and feedback, dear Cynthia.

Hoping your week is going well. Love and peace, Maria

Reply
Angelia Phillips link
6/21/2017 12:58:31 pm

Mar,

I don't remember this song, so watching the vid was quite fun and my, my, the memories it dredged up. All good! :)

First day of summer, and I'm mixing inside and outside work as much as I can.

We've got that hot, sunny weather I love to spend time in, and yup ... I wear a blend of body oil that allows a tan without the burn.

I'm making the very best of my 53rd summer. :)

Reply
Maria link
6/21/2017 09:01:58 pm

Hi Ange,
I only recently heard this song myself so it sounds fresh and relevant to me.
Our weather was glorious for most of this first day of summer - late afternoon saw some heavy downpours and thunder.
Hoping this is your best summer yet, young lady! Love, mar

Reply
Martie link
6/21/2017 03:42:10 pm

Wow! That is surely a song with the most profound advise. Thumbs up to Mary Schmich, and also to Nigel Andrew Swanston and Tim Cox.

I need some more sunscreen!

Congratulations to all graduates. May their dreams come true.

Hugs to you, dear Maria!

Reply
Maria link
6/21/2017 09:04:02 pm

I agree, dear Martie ... I went years without sunscreen - not a good thing!
Lovely to see you and glad you enjoyed this as I did.
Lots of love, mar

Reply
paula link
6/21/2017 05:26:15 pm

Maria....This has to be the commencement address to blow all others away! WOW. "Timeless Wisdom" ~ Lord, girl, you can say that again. Some of the most profound quips of advice to heed if you're about to begin that journey through life's maze~~the one that leads to discovering all that you can be.
Always "inspirational," my friend, sharing your heart, is priceless..................Hugs, Effer

Reply
Maria link
6/21/2017 09:06:55 pm

Dear Paula,
I'm not surprised you enjoyed this as much as I did - packed with wisdom to use through the years of graduation and beyond.
Hope you are relaxing and taking very good care of yourself.
Hugs to you, Maria

Reply
Sannel link
6/22/2017 08:31:53 am

Dear Maria,

I don't recall ever hearing this song but watching the video was a great reminder how fast our lives goes by. It was both emotional as well as inspiring listening to these lyrics of timeless wisdom. I regret that I have not been kinder to my knees. Kind of too late now. :/ And I should start using sunscreen more.
Thank you, dear friend for always providing me with a wonderful read. Enjoy our precious Summer.
Take good care of yourself!
Love and hugs,
Sannel

Reply
Maria link
6/23/2017 06:15:22 am

Thank you, dear Sannel. Like you, I had not ever heard this but find so many nuggets of wisdom and common sense within.

Hoping you are enjoying peaceful days with Freddie.

Sending you love and hugs, Maria

Reply
Laraine
6/22/2017 12:43:42 pm

Love it! Will pass it on to my emma as she transitions to college and try to reflect on the words myself!

Reply
Maria link
6/23/2017 06:16:38 am

Emma has a lovely role model in you, Laraine.

Thanks for the visit and hope you are feeling much better this morning.

Reply
Vicki link
6/22/2017 03:31:39 pm

Dear Mareer,

I really love this, and it is so wise. Thank you for sharing it, and I just wish I could remember it every day!

Reply
Maria link
6/23/2017 06:18:29 am

Me too, Vicki - not surprised you appreciated this as much as I do.

Have a peaceful weekend. Hugs, mareer

Reply
Shauna
8/22/2017 12:31:13 pm

I love this, Mar! Great words of advice that should always whisper in the back of our minds. We can't control much of what goes on in life, but we can control how we react. Always be true.

Reply
Maria link
8/31/2017 06:01:30 am

Insightful and so true, dear Sha.

Love you and thanks for stopping by, mar

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

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  • I Recommend...
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