Commencement wisdom for us all

It's commencement season; a time to offer heartfelt congratulations to Corridor and Iowa graduates, and to their families and instructors who helped them reach this important milestone.

A time for leaders in their respective fields to offer words of wisdom to young people on the cusp of life's next stage.

Their messages, while directed at graduating classes from our high schools, colleges and universities, are important reminders for us all to step back and take stock.

To recommit ourselves to 'live large,' as Mitt Romney counseled St. Anselm College graduates, 'embracing every fruitful dimension of life. To 'consider all the infinite possibilities,' as Katie Couric advised University of Wisconsin-Madison students.

'Visualize the road ahead,' Couric said. 'A fulfilling professional life can be found at the intersection of what you love and what you're good at,' Couric said. 'And when you think you've discovered it, go at it full throttle.'

Pursue those goals even when it takes you out of your comfort zone, as comedian Grace Helbig told Ramapo College graduates: 'Follow your fear. … When you are uncomfortable, that's when things get really interesting.'

And don't be too quick to dismiss those who disagree, as author Ian McEwan cautioned Dickinson College graduates. ' ... it can be a little too easy sometimes to dismiss arguments you don't like as 'hate speech' or to complain that this or that speaker makes you feel 'disrespected.' Being offended is not to be confused with a state of grace; it's the occasional price we all pay for living in an open society.'

Question your assumptions, as Tim Cook counseled George Washington University graduates. But don't waste too much time second guessing yourself, as first lady Michelle Obama cautioned Tuskegee University grads, remembering her own experience: 'Was I too loud? Or too angry? Or too emasculating? Or, was I too soft? Too much of a mom and not enough of a career woman?'

Take hold of the future and take care of the earth, as science educator Bill Nye told Rutgers University graduates.

'And, much as I love my 'Uptown Funk,' I nevertheless hope you all can also avoid another disco era, and especially those polyester leisure suits.'

Excerpts from commencement addresses are from YouTube videos and news accounts.

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