endedben

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 97
wear sunscreen
if I could offer you only one tip for the future
sunscreen would be it
the long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
where as the rest of my advise had no basis more reliable than my own
meandering experience
I will dispense this advice now
enjoy the power and the beauty of your youth
oh never mind, you will not understand the power and the beauty of your
youth until they've faded
but trust me, in twenty years you will look back at photos of yourself
and recall in a way you can't grasp now
how much possibility lay before
and how fabulous you really looked
you are not as fat as you imagine
don't worry about the future
or worry but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra
equation by chewing bubble gum
the real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your
worried mind
the kind that blindside you at 4pm some idle Tuesday
do one thing everyday that scares you
sing
don't be reckless with other peoples heart
don't put up with people who are reckless with yours
floss
don't waste your time on jealousy
sometimes you're ahead
sometimes you're behind
the race is long
and in the end it's only with yourself
remember compliments you receive
forget the insults
if you succeed doing this
tell me how
keep your old love letters
throw away your old bank statements
stretch
don't feel guilty if you don't know what to do with your life
the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't
get plenty of calcium
be kind to your knees
you'll miss them when they're gone
maybe you'll marry
maybe you wont
maybe you'll have children
maybe you wont
maybe you'll be divorced at 40
maybe you will dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary
whatever you do
don't congratulate yourself too much
or berate yourself either
your choices are half chance
so are everybody else's
enjoy your body
use it every way you can
don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it
it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own
dance
even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room
read the directions
even if you don't follow them
do not read beauty magazines
they will only make you feel ugly
brother and sister together we'll make it through
some day a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you've been hurting but I've been waiting to be there for you
and I'll be there just helping you out
whenever I can
get to know your parents
you never know when they will be gone for good
be nice to your siblings
they're your best link to your past and most likely to stick with you in the future
understand that friends come and go
but with a precious few you should hold on
work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
because the older you get the more you need the people you knew when you were young
live in New York city once
but leave before it makes you hard
live in Northern California once
but leave before it makes you soft
travel
accept certain inalienable truths
prices will rise
politicians will philander
you too will get old
and when you do
you'll fantasise that when you were young
prices were reasonable
politicians were noble
and children respected their elders
respect your elders
don't expect anyone to support you
maybe you have a trust fund
maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
but you never know when either one will run out
don't mess too much with your hair
or by the time you're 40 it will look 85
be careful whose advise you buy
but be patient with those who supply it
advise is a form of nostalgia
dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal
wiping it off
painting over the ugly parts
and recycling it for more than its worth
but trust me on the sunscreen