Cheers to the graduates! As I write this column, on the day of National Day of Prayer, many warm thoughts come to mind. Throughout the country, many students will be graduating from schools of learning this month. Graduation is both a happy and a sad occasion. The diploma, a symbol of excellence and knowledge, is the inheritance of our youth. I am reminded of what a big gray-haired, soft spoken Professor Greek once stated, as he handed out the diplomas. He said, "Young ladies and gentlemen, it is not possible for everyone to have a great intellect, but it is possible for everyone to have a great heart."

Over a quarter of a century ago, I read an essay written by an unknown author entitled, "Two Easy Questions," which I feel I would like to share with you, my dear readers of this warm thoughts column: It was graduation day and as a teacher, I sat before the speaker's lectern. Here we go again. I amused. Another boring, unimaginative, uninteresting speech. But how very wrong I was! The speaker merely said that he had two easy questions that he hoped each graduate could answer for himself in the affirmative. If any student had to give a negative answer to one or both questions, he stressed, then that person was in deep trouble. He asked the graduates, "Do you have the ability to love? Do you have the capacity to receive love?" I was moved - so was the entire audience. He went on. "There is an identification crisis in America. People don't know who they are or where they are going. They have no purpose. They are frustrated and hate swells within them. If we don't love ourselves, how can we possibly love someone else? Hate blunts and stunts sensitivities and sensibilities. People attempt to erase this frustration and hate by eating too much, drinking too much, and smoking too much. It takes people to help people become people. If we give love, we will receive love. But to love, we must love our bodies and chasten in our emotions. We must not gallop and gulp, rather, we must pause to savor and sip. We all know that love is not physical, but our spiritual and mental and emotional complexities are so entwined with the physical, that we must fight hard to make ourselves physically disposed to love. Love the bodies and chasten the emotions. In a world full of lonely persons, isn't it a tragedy for anyone to be lonely, alone?

Some time has passed since that commencement speaker (bless him) hurled those two questions at his audience, but they continue to echo and re-echo in mind. He did however, give us a clue, a rule to live by: We must find love in ourselves. Very well. I'll begin there. I'll love myself. I'll educate myself, discipline myself, and think noble thoughts. What's more? I'll even try to make myself more lovable. It is possible for everyone to have a big heart. May the inspiration of wisdom and the hope for the future be with our graduates and their journey through life. Congratulations to the graduates!

Warm Thoughts from the Little Home on the Prairie Over a Cup of Tea by Luetta G. Werner

Published in the Marion Record May 14th, 1998.

Download the Found Photo Freebie and cherish your memories of the past.

Enjoy flipping through the Vintage Photo Book on your coffee table.

I hope you enjoyed this podcast episode! Please follow along on this journey by going to visualbenedictions.com or following me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast. And don’t forget to rate and review so more people can tune in! I’d greatly appreciate it.

Till next time,

Trina