Ellen gives advice

I have recently discovered the world of commencement speeches. Not just the run of the mill ones, but the ones given by famous, influential and powerful people to the graduating classes of elite universities in the United States. I wanted to find out what advice these young people who already have been given an advantage in life would get and how many would “get” it. But then I realized that the graduating class of elite universities in the United States did not need life lessons, they have already inherent advantages that many other young people don’t have.

So I started to check on commencement speakers at the “other” universities, and was led to what many have claimed to be the “Best Commencement Speech Ever” delivered by Ellen DeGeneres just recently on May 15, 2009 at Tulane University. It was a very honest and humorous account of how life really is and what it takes. It was given at a University in a city that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Young people there really needed to listen to somebody to inspire them amid the aftereffects of the hurricane and the current effects of the economic recession, who would have expected it would be Ellen. I want to share with you excerpts from that speech, after please search for the video and you will appreciate it even more.

Ellen starts the audience rolling with laughter in the introductions, she said, “When I was asked to make the commencement speech, I immediately said yes. Then I went to look up what commencement meant.” She adds, “Commencement: common, and cement. Common cement. You commonly see cement on sidewalks. Sidewalks have cracks, and if you step on a crack, you break your mother's back. So there's that. But I'm honored that you've asked me here to speak at your common cement.”

Ellen then acknowledged the harsh realities of life especially in rebuilding New Orleans, “I'm here because of you. Because I can't think of a more tenacious, more courageous graduating class. I mean, look at you all, wearing your robes. Usually when you're wearing a robe at 10 in the morning, it means you've given up. I'm here because I love New Orleans. I was born and raised here, I spent my formative years here, and like you, while I was living here I only did laundry six times. When I finished school, I was completely lost. And by school, I mean middle school, but I went ahead and finished high school anyway. And I - I really, I had no ambition, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I did everything from - I shucked oysters, I was a hostess, I was a bartender, I was a waitress, I painted houses, I sold vaccuum cleaners, I had no idea. And I thought I'd just finally settle in some job, and I would make enough money to pay my rent, maybe have basic cable, maybe not, I didn't really have a plan, my point is that, by the time I was your age, I really thought I knew who I was, but I had no idea.”

Ellen then talked about her personal struggles, of how her girlfriend was killed tragically, and of how slowly she inched her way up until she was able to get her own sitcom. The show was very successful until she decided to be honest about who she really was. This confession caused the cancellation of the show.

She recounted, “The show was cancelled after six years, without even telling me, I read it in the paper. The phone didn't ring for three years. I had no offers. Nobody wanted to touch me at all.”

She tells the audience about her changed and successful life once again and the lessons she learned, “But my idea of success is different today. And as you grow, you'll realize the definition of success changes. For many of you, today, success is being able to hold down 20 shots of tequila. For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity, and not to give into peer pressure to try to be something that you're not. To live your life as an honest and compassionate person. to contribute in some way. So to conclude my conclusion: follow your passion, stay true to yourself.”

She ends with an honest ironic message, “And I know that a lot of you are concerned about your future, but there's no need to worry. The economy is booming, the job market is wide open, the planet is just fine. It's gonna be great. You've already survived a hurricane. What else can happen to you? And as I mentioned before, some of the most devastating things that happen to you will teach you the most.”

I cannot even begin to describe how good this speech is, but its better watched and heard than read. It does not give false hope or clichés about grabbing the dream and how life is a journey. It is an honest account of how life does not always follow what we want. That we need to be true to ourselves and continue to persevere. Johnny Bunko would be proud.

Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

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