Validate my Parking, erm i mean this Speech

Validation.

It’s an ugly word.  Suggests powerlessness.

It’s always other people... that seem to have an endless source of pride.  No insecurity, no self-doubt, all of the righteousness and no shame.

What’s wrong with these people?

But.  It’s always other people.  That you look up to, that you worship.  That you seek to please.

What is it that you imagine?  Where is it you see yourself?  Who is supplying for you the accolades.  The praise.  Your special dignity.  Who is donating the resources to fill your hungry heavy heart.

I only have one answer.  I’ll say to you what I say to myself.  That is how I find my kind:  Don’t stop looking.  It’s like Robin Williams said - you’re only given one little spark of madness in this seemingly cold world.  Keep that spark.  Kindle it.  Let it be the fuel that drives you.  

And if someone else takes the wheel at times, great.  But don’t cede control.  Be your own hero.  Steal from everyone any crumb or nugget that feeds your soul.  Give all the shout-outs you can, keep the hope alive.  Write a dumb poem that sounds like a commencement speech from a washed up listless agent of the nethers.

Be not misunderstood.  You’re not out to brainwash the masses.  They’ll find anyone to do that for them.  You’re out there to connect, to uplift, to separate, to evolve.  Keep it moving.

Remember you can’t spell disgrace without grace.  Be confident.  Be bold.  There are less and less mis-steps on a map as convoluted and convergent as the one leading us from last year, to this week, today and tomorrow just now.

I say to you class of 2020.  The future belongs to us.

Carry on.