I recently watched the above video released by Columbia College Chicago featuring students and graduates along with the song "Beautiful" by Rahkii (AKA Rocky Jones)... which really brought it all together for me!
I’m so inspired by the passion represented in this video...by the dreams represented...and by the courage of all of the visionaries who are driven by something bigger than themselves to keep pushing and believing! I pray they never give up! I pray who they are and what is in them (and the purpose of why it’s there) gets even clearer… so they can keep pursuing.
Life after college can and often does take many turns that are beyond our control... but my prayer for this year’s graduates is despite the twists and turns, that they keep growing and getting better! When I attended Columbia College, the slogan was "Create Change" ...I believe that every artist and every person is capable of doing just that.
So, to all of the college graduates...and anyone else pushing forward, please remember - YOU really ARE Beautiful! No matter what, keep growing!
If you like the song as much as I do, purchase it here (also available on Amazon, Apple Music) >>
Ten Lessons I Learned In College:
(Beyond The Classroom)
- There is immeasurable value in giving your all (whether working for free or paid). Learn to serve first.
- Learn how to work in groups. Collaborations will happen a lot! If you’re already prepared for it, you’re miles ahead of the next person.
- Express yourself and your ideas! You and your ideas matter (you'll never know the life of an idea until you first share it, then move on it. You might be surprised by the impact that the results can have on one person or many).
- Respect people who are different than you (even when you disagree).
- Respect other artists and their work. (For example... Whenever an artist was performing in class, it was considered rude to talk or make noise throughout their performance. Professors would stop the entire class, just to remind us that an idea was being presented… and that idea was worth being heard.)
- Sometimes people who are the most unlike you can be the most inspiring. “Never discredit or underestimate anyone."
- Even when it's hard and seems impossible, don't give up. Ask for help and keep going. You might surprise yourself by what you accomplish.
- Give yourself some grace...mistakes and failures are apart of the journey. Learn the lessons then use them as stepping stones. Give yourself room to grow.
- Forgive quickly... holding that in can change everything (not for the better).
- Believe in yourself and always keep “growing”