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1 Commencement Speech Hello, one of the things that I study at this university is philosophy.

I undertook the study of philosophy because I wanted to solve the riddle of my existence I wanted to capture the concept of capital-T Truth. I wanted a guidebook of principles to live by: how one ought to act in the world, how we ought to treat each other, how one ought to live their life. I've spent the last five years investigating these questions...and I've answered none of them. That is not to say I discovered nothing far from it rather, I realized I was nave. I could not answer the questions as posed. You see, I was asking the wrong questions. Instead of asking, What is the meaning of my existence? I should have asked, How do I give meaning to my existence? Instead of asking, What is my place in the world? I should have asked, How do I create a place for myself in the world? We may often think of ourselves as passive bodies in an active universe. That purpose is something already there, which we must discover. This, however, is not the case. We are the ones who create purpose for ourselves. We choose who we want to become what we want to become. And in doing so, we choose the world around us. This is the nature of human potential our potential. When we leave this university, we venture into a world where we dictate our own lives. We are responsible not only for our own actions, but for ourselves, and what we become. Ask yourself this: what do you want to become? How would you like to be remembered? How would you like to live your life? You are the one who gets to answer these questions nobody else. Never let anyone tell you what you are or what you will become. Never let anyone else set limits on your future or impose their limitations on you. I have, countless times throughout my life, been told by others what I am capable of and what I am not. And I can assure you, that every time, they were wrong. I decide my own potential just as you decide your own potential. Stand in defiance of limitations never let a hurdle become a wall. Your endeavors at times may become excessively difficult. Your goals may seem impossible to

2 accomplish. But success does not come easy, and why should it? I think you could hardly call the acquisition of a desire an achievement, if you were to simply reach out and grab it. I've never found value in that which comes easy, but I've always found pride in that which is difficult. See an impediment as something which is to be overcome view it as a challenge. When you step outside of yourself when you overcome your own obstructions, you generate meaning for yourself, your life, and for those around you. Essentially, you construct your own being. You realize what your capable of. You recognize your own freedom. Never let your hopes slip through your fingers you'll be left with a handful of regret. And since it is the case you bring value to your life that you define your purpose in the world why not choose something phenomenal? Why not? Why not choose creativity, happiness, selflessness, self-worth, character, pride, and accomplishment? When you forge your own being and overcome your own fear, anxieties, and limitations you stand as a role model for yourself and those whom surround you. You become a catalyst for purpose and determination. And just as you have an influence on others, others have an influence on you. We mutually construct each other we're social beings. It is therefore not only beneficial to bring value to your life, but to the lives of those who surround you. Always remember, we're all in this together. We build ourselves, we build each other, and we build the world. Thus, it is imperative to ask the question: what type of world would we like to live in? The fate of the world has been left to the hand of humanity this is evident. Will it be guided by reason and conscience, or irrationality and avarice? The choice is ours. Will we choose a world of beauty, good-will, technological innovation, sustainability, and prosperity? Or will we choose a world of ugliness, domination, greed, accumulation for the sake of accumulation, and ill-will towards others? Which world would you choose to live in? The former or the latter? I think we can all agree that the former is the best of the two options. We are therefore obliged to materialize the former both through our actions and our words. It is an immense undertaking, but each individual does in fact play a part. And I have witnessed, first-hand, men and

3 women who choose the former world. I've met professors who preach discipline and ethics, students who work hard and choose professions helping others, men and women whose ideas and actions progress the frontier of human knowledge. That world is possible it is attainable but it takes the full force of humanity to see its existence through. How then, one might ask, do we build such a place when there are others who choose the latter? It is, in fact, a constant battle again, nothing of value is easily attained. Do not let the ill-will of others contaminate yourself or your home. It is easier said than done much easier said than done but the idea itself is worthwhile. Will into existence that which you would like to see, that is the moral of the story. This is what I have learned here. This is what philosophy and the university have taught me. The world is malleable you can shape it according to your will. But I believe one should always do so with good reason and good conscience. Meaning and purpose these are brought into existence by you the individual. And these are shared in common with others. Success is never easily attained, although the acquisition of such is made much more valuable because of this fact. Think for yourself think freely, and never let the doubts of others hinder your endeavors. Keep yourself entertained by expressing your creativity set goals for yourself labor creatively. Your time here is finite, make it count, and be proud of the self you build. I'll leave you with this. A quote by Albert Camus a Twentieth Century philosopher that likens the practice of existence to the tale of Sisyphus. For those of you who are unfamiliar, the myth of Sisyphus is a Greek tale about a king who was forever sentenced by the Greek gods to roll a boulder up a hill. Camus writes, I leave Sisyphus at the foot of the mountain. One always finds one's burden again. But Sisyphus teaches the higher fidelity that negates the gods and raises rocks. He too concludes that all is well. This universe henceforth without a master seems to him neither sterile nor futile. Each atom of that stone, each mineral flake of that night filled mountain, in itself, forms a world. The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.

4 Thank you.

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