The Warrior Spirit: Our Time to Shine Given by Natalie Zolman Griffith 8/18/2018
Thank you so much for being here tonight to celebrate this big milestone we all share! Twenty years
ago many of us had no idea what was in store for us, and now we’re here looking back at how far
we’ve come! Looking over at our memorial table, we realize with much more soberness that life isn’t
as predictable or simple as it seemed as teens. Unfortunately, that table will only get more crowded
until we’re all in a picture frame, making it clear that all we have is NOW; so poignantly stated on our
senior yearbook, as true now as it was then, this is “Our Time To Shine.” I was thinking if these great
classmates could speak to us tonight, what wisdom would they share? Five thoughts came to mind...
ago many of us had no idea what was in store for us, and now we’re here looking back at how far
we’ve come! Looking over at our memorial table, we realize with much more soberness that life isn’t
as predictable or simple as it seemed as teens. Unfortunately, that table will only get more crowded
until we’re all in a picture frame, making it clear that all we have is NOW; so poignantly stated on our
senior yearbook, as true now as it was then, this is “Our Time To Shine.” I was thinking if these great
classmates could speak to us tonight, what wisdom would they share? Five thoughts came to mind...
- Warriors love, accept, & believe in themselves
Were you ever self conscious as a teen? Worrying what others thought of you or if they were talking
about you...I remember I was really insecure about the “popeye” size of my calves and the nearly
albino whiteness of my legs, so I would never wear shorts even in the summer, except when I played
soccer, and even then, I’d pull my soccer socks up past me knees! What were you insecure about?
Are you still? Now at age 38, I find myself insecure about other unimportant things like wrinkles...
about you...I remember I was really insecure about the “popeye” size of my calves and the nearly
albino whiteness of my legs, so I would never wear shorts even in the summer, except when I played
soccer, and even then, I’d pull my soccer socks up past me knees! What were you insecure about?
Are you still? Now at age 38, I find myself insecure about other unimportant things like wrinkles...
 |
| Try MC Hammer Confidence |
What can you embrace about yourself today that would make it easier to be around yourself, and
easier for others to be around you? Value only the opinions of those who truly love you and care about
you! Have the confidence of MC Hammer in “Can’t Touch This” who focused on his strengths:
“THANK YOU for blessing me with a mind to rhyme and two hype feet!
easier for others to be around you? Value only the opinions of those who truly love you and care about
you! Have the confidence of MC Hammer in “Can’t Touch This” who focused on his strengths:
“THANK YOU for blessing me with a mind to rhyme and two hype feet!
Next time you’re beating yourself up for your perceived imperfections, sing along with the band Right
Said Fred: I'm too sexy for my shirt , Too sexy for my shirt, So sexy it hurts! And see if you feel better! Just
love being you and believe in you too!
Said Fred: I'm too sexy for my shirt , Too sexy for my shirt, So sexy it hurts! And see if you feel better! Just
love being you and believe in you too!
- Warriors TAKE RISKS
For fun, tell the person next to you where you had your first job. Do you remember how nervous you
were in your first interview, or trying out for that one team or role in a play, or competing in your first
game, performance or club competition, running for office?
were in your first interview, or trying out for that one team or role in a play, or competing in your first
game, performance or club competition, running for office?
Do you remember your first kiss, your first school dance? You took a lot of risks in high school, and
although every risk didn’t turn into a success, you learned that the greatest things in life require the greatest amount of risk; as adults we’ve taken professional risks, familial risks as parents or spouses & partners, social risks, and physical risks; which leaves us feeling all the more alive. Remember; TAKE RISKS!
although every risk didn’t turn into a success, you learned that the greatest things in life require the greatest amount of risk; as adults we’ve taken professional risks, familial risks as parents or spouses & partners, social risks, and physical risks; which leaves us feeling all the more alive. Remember; TAKE RISKS!
- Warriors FOCUS
 |
| You Got the Right Stuff, Baby! |
One of the most embarrassing memories I have of high school was during the homecoming pageant,
(which I did not place), walking across the front of the stage…. I kept telling myself “don’t trip, don’t trip”
and of course, my ankle gave out in my uncomfortable pearl colored heels ¾ of the way down the
catwalk. I doubt many or any of you remember that incident, but it is embedded in my memory as the
proof that “what you focus on expands.” Focusing on what we don’t want actually brings you more of it.
Warriors who understand this concept, focus on what they DO want and then they work to CREATE it.
If I think, I don’t want my kids to talk back or fight they seem to do more of it… If I change my focus
slightly I think, “I want to teach my kids to show respect for me and their siblings, and I show them how
to love by my example.” Like New Kids on the Block would affirm; You got the right stuff, BABY!
Just FOCUS on what you want and then start creating it.
(which I did not place), walking across the front of the stage…. I kept telling myself “don’t trip, don’t trip”
and of course, my ankle gave out in my uncomfortable pearl colored heels ¾ of the way down the
catwalk. I doubt many or any of you remember that incident, but it is embedded in my memory as the
proof that “what you focus on expands.” Focusing on what we don’t want actually brings you more of it.
Warriors who understand this concept, focus on what they DO want and then they work to CREATE it.
If I think, I don’t want my kids to talk back or fight they seem to do more of it… If I change my focus
slightly I think, “I want to teach my kids to show respect for me and their siblings, and I show them how
to love by my example.” Like New Kids on the Block would affirm; You got the right stuff, BABY!
Just FOCUS on what you want and then start creating it.
- Warriors WORK hard
 |
| (Don't Blame It On the Rain) |
Milli Vanilli had me convinced that true happiness came from blaming the rain, or the “stars that didn’t
shine at night,” but life has taught all of us quite the contrary! We don’t make excuses, we take
responsibility, we own up to our part in the mess, and then we get to WORK on improving, growing,
expanding, thriving, giving, helping, loving, forgiving, relaxing, listening and BEING. If a warrior ignores
their weakness, or gets lazy, the enemy can sneak in, take over, and wreak havoc on our lives… but we
are willing to be honest with ourselves, take inventory of what isn’t serving our “troops,” and we WORK
until that weakness becomes a strength, the holes in our armor are patched, and the plan is re-evaluated
for true victory over our personal vices and demons. Vanilla Ice said, anything less than the best is a
felony! But giving it your best effort is enough.
shine at night,” but life has taught all of us quite the contrary! We don’t make excuses, we take
responsibility, we own up to our part in the mess, and then we get to WORK on improving, growing,
expanding, thriving, giving, helping, loving, forgiving, relaxing, listening and BEING. If a warrior ignores
their weakness, or gets lazy, the enemy can sneak in, take over, and wreak havoc on our lives… but we
are willing to be honest with ourselves, take inventory of what isn’t serving our “troops,” and we WORK
until that weakness becomes a strength, the holes in our armor are patched, and the plan is re-evaluated
for true victory over our personal vices and demons. Vanilla Ice said, anything less than the best is a
felony! But giving it your best effort is enough.
- Warriors UNITE; there’s strength in numbers
Do you remember, coming from such a big school, you could walk down the hall between every class
and see hundreds of different people? I loved the endless variety of faces, styles, and heights, of
everyone I passed. There’s such a richness and beauty in the diversity of the human specie. But no
matter how different we look on the outside, I believe we all long for the same things. To love and be
loved, to make a difference, to see and hear and to be seen and heard, to feel safe and give safety.
When we unite together with our common desires, we are strengthened, reinvigorated, more
committed, and empowered to live our unique lives in unity and purpose, like tonight! Many of us feel
like strangers, but with a little deeper look, you’ll see you’re more likely looking in a mirror when you
look into the eyes of a fellow warrior. Coming together reignites the fire that has always been burning
inside of you! Warriors UNITE, we are stronger together!
and see hundreds of different people? I loved the endless variety of faces, styles, and heights, of
everyone I passed. There’s such a richness and beauty in the diversity of the human specie. But no
matter how different we look on the outside, I believe we all long for the same things. To love and be
loved, to make a difference, to see and hear and to be seen and heard, to feel safe and give safety.
When we unite together with our common desires, we are strengthened, reinvigorated, more
committed, and empowered to live our unique lives in unity and purpose, like tonight! Many of us feel
like strangers, but with a little deeper look, you’ll see you’re more likely looking in a mirror when you
look into the eyes of a fellow warrior. Coming together reignites the fire that has always been burning
inside of you! Warriors UNITE, we are stronger together!
Closing: To recap, I’d like to say that these graduates who’ve now graduated beyond this life would tell
us to keep the warrior spirit burning strong by;
us to keep the warrior spirit burning strong by;
- Love, Accept & Believe in Yourself
- Take Risks
- Focus on the right stuff
- Work Hard
- Unite
Thank you for sharing this night with us. Like the care bear stare, now truly is our time to shine and
with all that light, we can get through anything until our individual clock runs out!
with all that light, we can get through anything until our individual clock runs out!
Here’s to you, Warriors, each of you fighting your own battles, conquering your own fears, exploring
new territory, paving the way for future warriors, we got this, because we are W-A-double R-I-O-R-S!
new territory, paving the way for future warriors, we got this, because we are W-A-double R-I-O-R-S!
Comments
Post a Comment