Graduation

Today is the beginning of the rest of my life. It doesn't get any more trite or cliche then that, but it really feels that way. I woke up this morning before my alarm clock due to the excitement in my stomach. I'm not at all nervous, but anxious and ready for it. I didn't anticipate being OK with the idea of leaving Gainesville, but I feel like now is the time. I've really gotten everything I could out of this city, and there is nothing left for me to experience here. How many more times could I possibly go to XS on Friday night? Grab a pint at Stubby's? Visit Lake Wauberg? This city has treated me well, and given me four years that went by all too fast but were incredible none-the-less.

Graduation feels awesome. I know I'm moving on to bigger and better things. I'm starting a new chapter, taking my first steps into the real world and growing up. That's damn exciting. It's as though this morning I've been overcome by a calming feeling. No sadness just extreme gratitude and appreciation for the time I've spent here. I can't believe it's over so quickly, but as it is said "time flys when you are having fun," and I think college is a true testiment to that.

What a sense of accomplishment and achievement one feels on a day like today. Your entire life has culminated to this event. All you've ever known, experienced and understood was the regimen of school, studying and homework. You're now expected to take the last 22 years and apply your knowledge to the world and better humanity. That's incredible. To think that after 4 p.m. I will be "certified" to provide public relations advice. It all seemed to easy.

When I look back its interesting to think of times when it seemed like too much, but then I think about how the "difficult" times weren't all that difficult in the larger scheme of things. When I look back at my experience in Gainesville I want to remember those moments I felt most inspired to do great things. The times when I came across a situation that was new to me and I let myself fall into and come out from with a fantastic story to tell. Those humbling experiences when I thought I knew exactly what to expect, but was really lost and overwhelmed with apprehension. What better experiences to keep a hold of? The experiences you tested the limits of your character and hopefully built integrity, honesty and humility.

My biggest thing is...I hope I've become a respected individual. Someone people want to surround themselves with. A positive soul. A man who values his friends, cherishes moments in time and has learned to take the good from the bad. Likewise, I hope I've been able to teach those around me a little bit about my world, my perspective and themselves. Perhaps how to be a good friend (my expectations were always high).

I've always seemed to have had a firm grasp on who I am. I struggled a few times these four years, but I think at this point there is no doubt. I've learned to look at the world and life in a way that allows me to appreciate the people in it, the friendships, the experiences and the abundance of new lessons to come.

Graduation proves that and I couldn't be more excited to start my life as a young professional. It's been an incredible ride.