The speaker, likely an actor or public figure, delivered a commencement speech full of life lessons, motivational advice, and personal anecdotes. The speech emphasized the importance of putting God first in all actions, embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, and using one's unique talents to make a difference in the world.
The speaker shared a personal anecdote about a prophecy given to him by a woman in his mother's beauty shop, which led him to a career in acting. He encouraged the graduates to not be afraid to fail, as it is often the best way to figure out where they are going in life. The speaker also reminded them that their lives are not a straight path and that they will likely face many challenges along the way.
The speaker warned against the trap of confusing movement with progress, emphasizing that just because you're doing a lot more doesn't mean you're getting a lot more done. He encouraged graduates to set daily, monthly, and yearly goals, and to apply discipline and consistency to achieve these goals.
The speaker also emphasized the importance of using one's unique talents to help others, stating that the most selfish thing you can do in this world is to help someone else. He encouraged graduates to give back to their communities and to use their talents to make a difference.
In conclusion, the speaker encouraged the graduates to not be discouraged, to give everything they have, and to fall forward when they stumble. He ended the speech by reminding them that they will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse, symbolizing that they can't take their material possessions with them when they die. He urged them to focus on what they can do with their talents and their lives, rather than what they can accumulate.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker was flunking out of college with a 1.7 GPA.
2. The speaker's mother owned a beauty shop in Mount Vernon.
3. On March 27, 1975, a woman in the beauty shop gave the speaker a prophecy that he would travel the world and speak to millions of people.
4. The speaker changed his major to acting after being encouraged by a counselor at a YMCA camp in Connecticut.
5. The speaker has traveled the world and spoken to millions of people through his movies.
6. The speaker was 20 years old when the woman gave him the prophecy.
7. The movie "Philadelphia" was filmed on campus and was released in 1993.
8. The speaker played the role of a homophobic ambulance chaser lawyer in the movie "Philadelphia".
9. The movie "Philadelphia" is about a man who is fired from his law firm because he has AIDS.
10. The speaker's GPA was down to 1.8 at one point, and the university suggested he take some time off.
11. The speaker was 20 years old when he was at his lowest point.
12. The woman who gave the prophecy to the speaker was considered one of the elders in the town.