I bet your parents are bursting with pride and, I'm sure, dealing with a little sadness.

After all, it seems like only yesterday when you were beautiful little children playing in the grass, giggling and making up songs, dripping ice cream all over your brand-new clothes.

Today, you are adults. It's time to move on, move up and, in a lot of cases, move out of your comfort zones.

It's now time for you to reach out in the same way that hundreds of people have done for you over the past 18 years or so.

Imagine life as one huge relay. The baton is yours.

I graduated more than a few years ago and I'm continually discovering that every day is an adventure, a journey and a blessing.

To be fair, some days more than others.

But even the worst days always give me something to think about. Here are just a few things I've learned that I believe are important enough to pack in your suitcase as you venture off to college or into the work world.

*Think big. Don't be afraid to share your good ideas with others. Oftentimes, that's how great ideas are formed.

*Enjoy where you are. Set goals for today. As adults, we're often so concerned with what we're going to leave behind that we fail to recognize not only what's ahead, but what we have right now.

Remember, no matter where God has placed you in this world, you're there for a reason. Whether or not you make an impact is your decision.

*Serve. True joy doesn't come from what we acquire. It comes from the knowledge that something we have done may have made someone else's life better.

You can't put a price tag on that.

*Live for an audience of one. As you've probably learned already in high school, people will criticize you for almost anything - and they usually do. The way you look, the way you speak, the decisions you make - anything.

Learn from criticism if there's something to be learned. If it's simply mean-spirited gossip or complaining, let it go. Those people have the problem.

If your motives are pure, you can live your life with nothing to lose, nothing to prove and nothing to hide.

There's nothing better than that.

*Think before speaking. Ask yourself three questions before saying anything: 1) Is it true? 2) Is it kind? 3) Is it necessary?

If what you're about to say doesn't fall into those categories, don't say it. You'll probably regret it later if you do.

*Use time wisely. You can waste it, spend it or invest it. No matter how you use it, when it's gone, it's gone.

*Go with your gut. It's usually right on target.

*If you can, have children. It's the closest you'll come to understanding God's unconditional love.

And, finally ...

*Follow your passion. Don't pick a major because someone else wants you to. Don't go into a particular line of work just because it pays better.

Don't sell out. Don't sell yourself short. Don't mess with happy.

Most important, don't confuse excellence with success. Success is what you have. Excellence is who you are.

Besides, if success were that great, why are so many people peddling their stuff at yard sales each weekend?

It gets old after a while.

May all your dreams come true,

T.K.

(Tim Kolodziej is managing editor of the New Castle News.)

This column first appeared in the New Castle News in June, 2001.

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