Leave it to perceptive singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer to give sound advice to college students about to graduate. For a guide to a fulfilling life, read her 2016 Goshen College commencement address, "Be Kind, Be True, And Pay Attention," in her poems, essays, and lyrics compilation, The Beautiful Not Yet. Her tips are far more heartfelt and genuine than those of most commencement speeches, in which speakers typically offer advice such as, "Whatever you do in life, always strive for excellence. Let's break down the letters of that word. E is for egg, a protein-rich food which will give you the energy needed to tackle your endeavors. X is for xylophone, an instrument that is the underpinning of beguiling jazz music. Learning to play the xylophone will broaden your horizons. C is for cat, an animal I strongly recommend keeping as a pet, as cats have been proven to lower blood pressure. E is for edifice. Learning to build an edifice will give you confidence and a sense of accomplishment. If you build your edifice well, it may house countless families or serve as a workplace for many generations. L is for Lana, who works in our job placement office and can help you get started on the right foot after you graduate. L is for Larry, who also works in our job placement office and can help you get started..."
Other sound advice came from the conductor of one of my high school ensembles. During a speech to the orchestra, he advised all of us, "Always approach your music as well as your life with integrity." While that's easier said than done sometimes, his advice isn't wrong. Neither is Carrie Newcomer's. If you're about to graduate from college, read her advice, and let it lift your spirit.
