How Shit Works

A valued mentor and teacher recently asked me to write what I might say if asked to give a commencement address. What would I tell people, from my own experience, that might provide them with insight and power as they move out into the world?

Here's what I came up with:

1. Without Integrity, Nothing Works - be truthful and honest with yourself and others - even (especially) when it's uncomfortable. It's only when things are whole and complete that they can work the way they are meant to. And you will ALWAYS know when something is incomplete - sometimes not right away, but it's your job to quiet the noise so you can hear it (and then get it complete). N.B. Entropy is a law—everything always falls apart, so it will take consistent energy input to make and keep things whole.
2. Love is Not Only the Most Important Ingredient but the Only Ingredient That Really Matters. If love is missing, what's the point?
3. Nothing Happens to You. Life is happening. It is not happening to YOU. It might be raining, and you might get wet, but it is not raining on YOU. What's happening is what's happening, and you have no say about that. You have EVERYTHING to say about how you operate inside whatever is happening. Complaining about the rain will not stop the rain. Put on a raincoat and get to work.

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