The future starts now

It's graduation time again. Thousands are finishing school this month, ready to add to the nation's available workforce. It's also an occasion that young graduates will find perfect for assessing the state of their lives, to start taking on some self-responsibility and pursuing real personal independence, and to go full-speed after their dreams.

Graduation can draw out mixed emotions, both feelings of relief from the long years of school and of concern over the bigger challenges ahead. Since childhood, there had been no undertaking more generally prevalent in a young person's life than going to school. These last few years, he may have begun thinking - seriously at last - in which direction to go in the coming years.

Choosing a particular course or degree was a major initial step. But the real life challenge is yet to be taken. The good one-third of one's lifetime spent in school is only but a preparation. A college degree may only have equipped the new graduate with a specialized skill, at least, or the fundamentals of life and living, at best. The next step is now to try to put the acquired knowledge to actual, beneficial use.

Right after graduation, the future closes in a lot sooner than one wants. Often the hope of a long rest will not materialize. When the first job opportunity beckons, the fresh graduate will just have to go for it. Those whose job applications don't get responded to soon enough will not be at rest either, as they will begin to worry about their career prospects.

Even with a diploma in hand, it is hard for anyone to say what his future will be. But one must have a wish, at least. What one wants to be is his goal. He is surely to find it a bit easier to get somewhere if he has an idea of where he wants to go.

Not having a plan, of something to be achieved or attained, may seem a comfortable state to be. There's no pressure, no special expectations and, thus, there can be no frustrations. To just sit around and be content with whatever comes one's way can be a very calming attitude. But even the decision to adopt this passive position towards life is a plan in itself.

Yet those who choose not to actively participate in the game of life should realize something. It is said that an idle mind is the devil's workshop. An idle body, as well, may I add. Many of those who fill up our correctional and mental institutions are people who did not have anything good to do or to be. Precious medical resources are being wasted on ailments which can be traced to the patient's simple lack of productivity. It defies our human nature to just let life pass us by.

Prolonged idleness can make a person become passive and uninterested in anything. Soon his self-concept shrinks, his self-confidence wilts. It would be too unfortunate for a young person, who should otherwise be naturally bursting with life and promise, to slip into this situation. Too much rest can lead to indolence and boredom. And the very qualities of youth that may propel them to success-energy, love of adventure, ingenuity and capacity for leadership-can also make them big social liabilities.

Work, honest work, is good for anyone. It is through productive work that young people can avoid the physical and moral slackness which comes from idleness, and toughen their spiritual muscles sufficiently to take on the responsibilities of adulthood. Not only work created by business or by government but, most importantly, endeavors borne out of entrepreneurial passion. The person who devises positive ways to avoid idleness is in charge of his own life.

Someone I know took a crash course in sausage-making right after finishing Mass Communications three years ago. He now has a booming home business manufacturing different food products, with a wide clientele among office employees and subdivision residents. With more than 20 workers helping him at present, the guy recently thought of finally putting his college degree to use, as a sideline. He had just signed a two-year contract to do the marketing brochures of an export company.

There are several ways to find one's place under the sun. And these are not all big highways. Some are small trails, footpaths that get you there just the same. The only thing is to keep going. Sooner or later, you will be there where you want to be.

I believe that young graduates should not rest too long after leaving school. This is the time they've all been preparing themselves for, all these years. They must make the most of this peak season of their lives, lest their "technicolor dreamcoats" will lose magic. The future starts here, now.

E-mail: [email protected]