Good evening,
Today is a day of great celebration, and I am honored to be a part of it. Thank you for inviting me to deliver the keynote address. I understand that on a day of such high excitement what you require first and foremost of any speaker is brevity. I shall not fail you in this respect. In thinking of what to share with you that would be relevant and worth listening to, a line from Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem “IF” kept resonating in my ears, “How do you keep your head when all around you are losing theirs?” Hence, my topic today: How do you move forward amidst overwhelming challenges? While the question may sound too broad, I have highlighted a few perspectives to respond to the question paused.
In general, people want happiness, peace, and satisfaction. However, what prevails around us is conflict, crisis, and despair. How do we keep our heads high when others around us are losing theirs?
First, define success in your own terms.
We often hear exhortations like “achieve success,” “become successful” or “succeed in life.” Success is the attainment of something desired, planned or pursued. Since our desires and plans are very personal and are not exactly like anyone else’s, you will need to define success for yourselves. What would make you feel that you are a successful human being? This is not an easy thing to do in our society. Success is often equated with wealth and fame. These may be commendable, but they do not necessarily make those who possess them truly satisfied. One example is that success could be measured not only by the status one has attained in life, but by the obstacles which one has overcome. The feeling of success comes only when you achieve what is most important to you. True success is a personal feeling, not a manifestation that others perceive.
Second, attitude matters
Attitude is a pattern of thinking. It is a lens through which we see the world and navigate via our experiences. This mental and emotional construct affects our behavior. Attitude is our mind’s paintbrush that gives us the ability to design our lives and create happiness through the power of changing our attitude. We are limited only by what we allow ourselves to be limited by. There are two important things we should know about life: that it’s not easy, and it’s not always fair. Therefore, how we respond to these facts will greatly affect our success and life satisfaction. Our attitude makes a difference between seeing an opportunity and confronting a seeming impossibility in an abysmal situation. It’s easy to find reasons to complain. It is easy to give up on a dream without trying harder to achieve it. But it is impossible to find satisfaction in negative feelings and behaviors. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but one thing we do know is that we have the choice as to how to respond to life. Let’s embrace a positive attitude and say, “I can do it! “It can be done! “I will do it.”
Third, be resilient and persevere.
Life is full of adversities that cannot be avoided. We all experience disappointment, loss, or change. While they are a normal part of life, such emotions and experiences still cause sadness, anxiety, and stress. But just as physically healthy people are better able to bounce back from illness or injury, people with strong mental health are better to bounce back from adversity and stress. This is called resilience. People who are emotionally and mentally resilient have the tools for coping with difficult situations and maintaining a positive outlook. They remain focused, flexible, and productive throughout the rollercoaster of life.
We all have the capacity for resilience, it just needs to be tapped. If we have emotional resilience, then we can tap into realistic optimism even when we deal with crisis situations. In life, we will face obstacles that might challenge our mindset and perseverance. Every time we go through a crisis or face an internal or external challenge, we discover hidden reserves of courage and resilience within ourselves. Albert Einstein once said, “Crisis is the greatest blessing for people and nations because crisis brings progress. It is in crisis that inventive discoveries and strategies rise.”
Needless to say, resilience requires personal drive. There is a great psychological variability in how we respond to stressful life events, depending on the level of resiliency we have developed. We have to acknowledge that life comes with challenges and setbacks which we can overcome. Understanding the temporary nature of the ups and downs of life will help us remain focused on our goals and not surrender to difficult circumstances. At times, when you feel defeated, see the value of growth mindset, and nurture a positive self- view. Have a hopeful outlook on matters and remind yourself of your own efficacy in overcoming past obstacles and that you have the capacity to overcome this one too. If you can’t change what has happened, change the way you deal with it. Focus on what you have and not what you don’t have. Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more determined through resilience to go on to live a happy and fulfilling life. Gibran Khalil Gibran has depicted his view of resilience in the following lines: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”
Finally, Dear Class of 2023, allow me to qualify you as “Class of Heroes”. Because heroes are not only those who die on the battlefield; they are also ordinary individuals who find the strength to endure overwhelming challenges and emerge victorious.
Consider yourselves fortunate to have had the opportunity to be educated at this unique institution of higher learning that prepared you academically and spiritually. Emulate your own role models who inspired you to achieve and become the best of yourselves. In turn, as you make your way into the real world, be positive role models for others. Live with integrity, hope, determination, and compassion. Thank God for your blessings. Go into the world that you envision for yourselves and make a difference! Be a candle and shine a light on those who tumble in darkness. And make countless candles of them for a brighter world and future.
Thank you.
Hasmig Baran