Julianna Margulies' commencement speech to Sarah Lawrence Class of 2010
While the overall message of the passage of this speech one might not be able to identify with directly (who after all, makes that kind of money these days?), I can't help but hear her words and find them somewhat resonant.
Everyone wants to know their mission.
I've made my own choices-- have followed my heart-- against the grain only to be mocked, hurt... I think (and hope) that everyone has done this at some point in their lives. I have turned to my dad so many times. "Dad, what should I do?" And only to hear sound advice. "When is enough, enough?"
And while I am not one to be religious, this past month I have turned to churches, meeting houses, temples. I think I've been to nearly every church and cathedral in the borough of Manhattan.
I've made my own choices-- have followed my heart-- against the grain only to be mocked, hurt... I think (and hope) that everyone has done this at some point in their lives. I have turned to my dad so many times. "Dad, what should I do?" And only to hear sound advice. "When is enough, enough?"
And while I am not one to be religious, this past month I have turned to churches, meeting houses, temples. I think I've been to nearly every church and cathedral in the borough of Manhattan.
"I realized my mission in life was to learn more, not earn more."
At the end of the day, at some point in time, we should look back and see evidence of value, and that value is not monetary, nor is it fame. Both are empty. I am blessed to have the things I have, and the experiences I have had. But the lessons I have learned this past year have been tremendous, decisions at times torrential, however looking back, they all have meaning.
Perhaps most importantly, I have learned that despite heartbreak, you can't stop your heart. But it is this that makes us human.
I would much prefer a life of lessons leading to happiness and love than all the money or nice things or fame in the world. A family.
Fin.
Fin.
2 comments:
meghan, i'm still here reading your blog! i love your thoughts.
i grew up in a religious family but more and more as i've grown up spirituality has been difficult for me, even though i know i need it and i know i need God. I can't explain it but I just know God is there, something greater outside of myself, that our lives aren't so pointless or so small, and that we are loved and we are worth something.
If you get a chance, read some C.S. Lewis! amazing stuff. i love this line from his book "The Weight of Glory":
"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
You don't know me, but I enjoy your blog (and your work -- it's amazing!), and I just wanted to tell you that I really love this post. Thank you for publishing it :)
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