Are you happy? Seems like an odd question to be asking at a commencement address, so let me explain.
The second paragraph of our nation’s Declaration of Independence states the following: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
I would like to talk with you today about your lifelong pursuit of happiness. Happiness is the opposite of fear. I have many fears, as you do. My biggest fear today is that this talk will be a failure. Jerry Seinfeld has a joke that goes like this: “According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”
After many years of study and research it has been determined that there are three foundations necessary for a happy life. They are:
- Your sense of purpose (which usually is your work)
- Your health
- Your relationships (with other people and some spiritual entity)
How can we stay happy in this increasingly complex and fast-moving world?
We live in a VUCA World, defined by the US military as Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. Every day we experience disruption, short-term decisions that undo the future, propaganda, slander, lies, blame, denial, violence. Communities and nations are disrupted by terrorist acts and cumbersome bureaucracies that cannot deliver services.
People lash out in fear, angry citizens strike back at governments, tensions between people reach hateful proportions, and confusion and exhaustion sink us into despair and cynicism. This is the age of retreat: from one another, from values that held us as a nation together, from ideas and practices that encouraged inclusion, from faith in leaders, from belief in basic human goodness.
Need I go on?
Pretty depressing, isn’t it?
If you remember only one thing from my talk tonight, remember this: stop watching and reading the news, fake or otherwise.
The news of the day can make you think that the world and humanity is about to end. It is not. Every age has had its challenges since the dawn of human civilization 10,000 years ago.
As a child and young adult, my generation was in constant fear of the cold war and nuclear destruction of humanity. I was taught in grade school to hide under my desk in school in case of a nuclear attack. Like that was going to help. During this same time a president was assassinated. The leader of the civil rights movement was assassinated. We had race riots that killed hundreds and left many cities in ruins. We had a war in east Asia that made no sense to many and took the life of my cousin. When I was in college, the campuses were coming unglued with riots, sit-ins, demonstrations, and shootings that left four students dead at Kent State University. A president was forced to resign. And, most importantly, we had no internet!
How did we survive? Because the vast majority of people are pre-wired to believe in the basic goodness of humanity. Human to human contact is the basic foundation for our existence, our meaning of life, and our ability to always overcome the day-to-day challenges facing humanity.
During that same time we also put a man on the moon who was a Purdue alumni, no less. Computers and the dawn of the digital age emerged. Even with the thousands of nuclear warheads being made in the US and the Soviet Union, more than 50 years later they still have not been used. Why is that? Out of the Kent State killings came a great song of remembrance titled "Ohio" by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Art overcame death, despair and sadness. Today our nation is at peace and on very friendly terms with Vietnam, something that I would never have believed when I was a college student.
No one said life would be easy. Life does not owe you anything. The government, your family, your friends, your church, your employer, owes you nothing. If you want something out of life, you need to earn it. As soon as you start thinking you deserve something, you will get in trouble. Be vigilant to avoid becoming complacent and unthankful for whatever you have. Yes, be thankful. Every evening write down three things you are thankful for in your life or that happened during the day. You will be surprised how much better your outlook on life will be.
Once you have this firm foundation it is time to work on building relationships with people in your life. Relationships with other people is one of the foundations for happiness. Base those relationships on trust and giving first. Studies have shown that true happiness is gained by giving and not receiving. Learn to give of your time and money. You will be much happier.
The secret to success in your professional career is very simple: get along with people — all people, no exceptions. Build meaningful relationships. Always be inclusive in your thinking and actions. Be a good listener. Be the first to volunteer for the most difficult jobs and assignments. If you follow these simple acts, it will not be long until you are running the place.
Humanity continues to advance. Things are getting better not worse. Stop listening to the fear mongers who spread fear for their own gains. Humanity does not advance through fear but through hope, optimism and love.
Through your hard work and perseverance, you have earned a BS degree from one of the greatest universities on the planet. We expect great things of you. We expect you to be leaders of human optimism and advance. You are our generation’s legacy and we pin our hopes for human advance on you. This is a big assignment, but you are up to the challenge because first and foremost you are human. Almost as important is that you are a graduate of Purdue and not IU. Dream big dreams, pursue happiness and believe in yourself and humanity.
We are immensely proud of your accomplishments. Congratulations and best wishes for a productive and happy life. Boiler Up and Be Happy!
