In the next few minutes I shall speak about what I hope will be one part of your story, a part related to character and called "public service." I will not take long. I agree with the philosopher who said that money can vanish overnight, power disappear, reputation can evaporate, but character - personal integrity - is a rock that stays secure. We cannot escape the negative meaning that a failure of integrity - a failure to live up to our standards of right and wrong - will give to the stories we ourselves shape. What we do and how we explain it tells us who we are. And it will include your choices and your reasons for making them. Your own story will include family and friends, not just career. The most important parts of the story are personal. The external circumstances, the material circumstances, of that story are often beyond our control, but they may matter less than we think. Each person's story is different but each has its moments of joy and happiness, tragedy or sorrow. Those choices help shape the story that each life tells. And our lives then shape themselves around the choices that we make. Sometimes agonizing does not help sometimes we must simply choose. He pointed out that, when we make an important personal decision, we rarely know more than ten percent of all we would like to know. The best advice I received about a career choice was from a former law school dean, Bayless Manning. I know, too, that some of you are wondering, "what next?" or, "where after that?" Career choices, like all personal choices, are difficult. I know that behind every law graduate there stands a supportive family, perhaps near bankruptcy. And congratulations to your parents as well.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |