This ties right in with what I wrote about college students. A high school teacher, David McCullough Jr, told a group of Wellesley High School graduates: “You are not special.”

I love this!

In an era where all the kiddies get trophies and …

Okay, I’m not going to go on a rant.

What amazes me is the reaction to the speech. For the most part, it has been positive. There are those few bleeding hearts, however, who feel he ruined the joy of the day with this message:

Yes, you’ve been pampered, closeted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have. And, certainly, we’ve been to your games, your plays, your recitals, your science fairs. Absolutely, smiles ignite when you walk into a room, and hundreds gasp with delight at your every tweet. Why, maybe you’ve even had your picture in the Townsman! And now you’ve conquered high school… and, indisputably, here we all have gathered for you, the pride and joy of this fine community, the first to emerge from that magnificent new building…

And for those who may be special:

even if you’re one in a million, on a planet of 6.8 billion that means there are nearly 7,000 people just like you.

McCullough concluded his speech with a message that should resonate with everyone. In this era of self-gratification and a “what’s in for me” attitude, his speech was especially cogent. I only question if 18 years old is a little too late for some of these graduates to be hearing this message:

Exercise free will and creative, independent thought not for the satisfactions they will bring you, but for the good they will do others, the rest of the 6.8 billion-and those who will follow them. And then you too will discover the great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself. The sweetest joys of life, then, come only with the recognition that you’re not special. Because everyone is.”

Here is the speech in its entirety: