What Would You Say?

I was part of a conversation, today, about what advice people would give high school graduates. When asked, I replied, "I'd have to think about that."

Well, I did and here is what I'd say:

• Practice kindness. There's too little of it in our society.
• Take responsibility. Don't point the finger at another or in another direction.
• If you screw up, admit it, then fix it. Don't wait for someone else to fix your mess.
• 'Thank you' and 'You're welcome' will take you far.
• Learn how to spell.
• If you absolutely cannot spell, learn how to use a dictionary.
• Shower every day. The world will appreciate it.
• If you said you would do it, do it.
• If you can't do it, the sooner you let someone know, the better.
• When you are with someone you care about, turn your ringer off. Better yet, turn off your phone.
• Surprisingly, the other shoppers in stores do not care one whit about your end of a phone conversation.
• When using a cart in any store, follow the rules of the road.
  
• Don't park your cart in the middle of an aisle and expect others to wait while you decide what size peanut butter to buy.
• Pick up after yourself in the workplace, or any place, for that matter. Your mother will not always be by your side.
• Don't say, "Let's do lunch.", unless you mean it.
• If you don't have anything constructive to say, be quiet.
• If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.
• Don't be a slacker. Carry your share of the load.
  
• Lastly, never, ever, waste the time of a volunteer.

I'm curious what advice you would give today's graduates. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this!

Ancora imparo