Graduation Speech by Professor George Saunders

Introduction

• Professor George Saunders is introduced by Dean George Langford as a distinguished speaker.
• Traditional graduation speech format: an experienced individual (George) gives advice to young graduates.

Regrets and Life Experiences

• George shares personal life experiences and moments he does not regret:
  • Financial insecurity, terrible jobs, embarrassing moments.
  • An incident of swimming with monkeys in Sumatra leading to illness.
• Reflects on a school incident with a shy girl named "ELLEN" and regrets not being kinder.

Key Message: Importance of Kindness

• Greatest regret: Failures of kindness.
  • Moments when he could have been kinder but wasn't.
• Importance of kindness in relationships and life.

Why Aren't We Kinder?

• Human tendencies and beliefs:
  1. We see ourselves as central to the universe.
  2. We feel separate from the universe.
  3. We perceive ourselves as permanent.
• These beliefs cause selfishness and neglect of others.

Becoming Kinder

• Strategies for increasing kindness:
  • Education, art, prayer, meditation, and spiritual traditions.
  • Learning from life's experiences and the wisdom of others.
• Reflection on aging and maturity leading to natural increase in kindness.

Advice for Graduates

• Encourage kindness and love as life goals.
• Pursue ambitions but remember to focus on kindness.
• Seek anti-selfishness practices and experiences.

Conclusion

• Urges graduates to clear away anything that separates them from their "luminous" core.
• Final wishes for the graduates' happiness and success.
• Expresses hope that in the future, graduates will reflect on their lives as wonderful.

Closing

• Professor Saunders congratulates the Class of 2013 and wishes them good luck and happiness.