As I mentioned in a post a few weeks ago (see "Ready for the World"), it's commencement season here in the United States! As I stated in that post, "I can't wait to see what Graduation Season 2025 has in store. I am confident that the themes from at least a few commencement speeches from this season will find their way into this blog!"
Well, the American actor and comedian Steve Carrell (perhaps most famous for playing the part of Michael Scott in one of my favorite television shows, The Office) recently delivered a highly entertaining (and important) commencement speech at Northwestern University. Carrell focused on important leadership characteristics such as kindness and respect.
Towards the end of the speech, Carrell became serious, for just a brief moment. He said, "I'm a dad. My kids are right around your age and it’s difficult for me to process just how much you’ve all experienced in your young lives. I feel your anxiety and your fears about the world around you. It’s heartbreaking to me. You’ve already had to overcome a lifetime’s worth of turmoil and uncertainty, and it doesn’t seem fair."
He next emphasized the importance of taking care of yourself, and he told the graduates what he and his wife, actress Nancy Carrell tell their children, "Remember the little things, like being kind, and that you're not alone. Take care of one another. Remember to laugh when you have the opportunity, and cry when necessary."
He then pivoted seamlessly into another joke and said, "As badly as you feel about the state of the world, your parents probably feel worse. Use that. Take advantage of that. Now is the perfect time to exploit your parents’ guilt, to emotionally blackmail them. They might even let you live in their basement for an extra six months."
The speech is only about 15 minutes or so, but it's well worth a quick listen! Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment