Listen up graduates

It's the season for graduations and graduation speeches. Young people sitting in hot robes with tassels from their mortarboards hitting them in the face listen to people they've never hard of tell them that they are the hope for the future.

That's a helluva lot to dump on some poor kid in high school whose skin hasn't cleared up yet, or some college kid who majored in parties and is about to get a diploma stating he's an expert in art history.

Umpty some years ago I heard that same line in high school. I didn't go to my college graduation, but by that time I was 32 years old and wasn't about to fall for that hope for the future stuff.

In the time since I finished high school, the future -- now past -- included man walking on the moon. Didn't have a thing to do with me. Cell phones and computers, food processors, and microwaves  came during the future I was supposed to be the hope of, but all I do is use them. Eight-tracks came and went and I barely noticed. No one has ever cured the common cold. We're still hoping someone in some future can do that.

Should I feel like I missed out on being the future's hope? Should today's graduates?

Listen up, kids. People say that, but they don't really expect that much from you. It's kind of like saying "let me know if I can do anything for you." They say it but they don't have a clue.

The future lies ahead of you but you're on your own. If you want some good advice for the future, here's some from someone who's got a lot of it behind her.

Always be kind. Even if it kills you.
Worship the Lord and obey his teachings.
Find a job you love doing.
Don't should on yourself.
Don't be in a hurry to get married or have children.
Choose wisely.
Do your best.
Don't spend more than you earn or promise more than you can deliver.
Don't concern yourself with what others think.

You are a part of the future, but don't take it all on just because some windbag gets a stipend to say you can. Thousands of other graduates are hearing the same thing. Make the best of what you have and along the way enjoy the real things in life: good friends, small blessings, family, pets, chocolate, and being able to look at your reflection in the mirror without flinching.

It ain't rocket science; it's life. Enjoy it.