Whether you’re a proud parent, happy family member or childhood friend of the graduate, the day has finally come to issue congratulations. The surge of emotions you’re feeling may include nostalgia for your own “glory days” —but nothing compares to the rush of sentiments your graduate is feeling.
Poised to begin a new phase of life, it’s always an opportune time to offer the grad a bit of advice or encouragement. Whether you scribble it in a card or share it during a special moment, here are ten quotes worth taking to heart for any of the special graduates you know.
For the Over-achiever:
“So, I say to you, forget about the fast lane. If you really want to fly, just harness your power to your passion. Honor your calling. Everybody has one. Trust your heart and success will come to you.” –Oprah Winfrey
For the Dreamer:
“I used to think as I looked out on the Hollywood night, ‘There must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me dreaming of being a movie star.’ But I’m not going to worry about them. I’m dreaming the hardest.” –Marilyn Monroe
For the Adventurer:
“Instead of trying to make your life perfect, give yourself the freedom to make it an adventure, and go ever upward.” –Drew Houston, Internet entrepreneur
For the Social Butterfly:
“I prefer by far warmth and softness to mere brilliancy and coldness. Some people remind me of sharp dazzling diamonds. Valuable but lifeless and loveless. Others, of the simplest field of flowers, with hearts full of dew and with all the tints of celestial beauty reflected in their modest petals.” –Anais Nin
For the Class Clown:
“Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else’s path, unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that.” –Ellen DeGeneres
For the Athlete:
“Nobody likes to fail, but failure is an essential part of life and of learning. If your uniform isn’t dirty, you haven’t been in the game.” –Ben Bernanke
For the Artist:
“Remember that creativity is intelligence having fun.” –Albert Einstein
For the Drama Student:
“Your education is a dress rehearsal for the life that is yours to lead.” –Nora Ephron
For the Rebel:
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” –Vincent Van Gogh
For the Spiritual:
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” –Denis Waitley
Get more examples on Shutterfly’s 100 Graduation Quotations and Saying for 2016 (Photo by the University of Denver, CC)