It's getting towards the end of June and the days are long. Annual graduation ceremonies have come and gone, champagne toasts have been forgotten. As are most of the ritualized graduation speeches.
I remember my good friend Paul giving a great commencement speech at my high school graduation. I wish Paul had given my college convocation as well because I can't remember who actually gave it, only that I was unbearably uncomfortable in the 90 degree heat and humidity of Austin after one, maybe two but no more than nine adult beverages the night before. It would have been a better ceremony if the Dean had handed me a couple of Tylenol instead of a diploma and the stage had been over a cool swimming pool that ended with a refreshing immersion in the deep end.
You know who else besides Paul would have given a meaningful message that would have resonated a little more clearly that day? Steely Dan's Any Major Dude, that's who:
Any major dude with half a heart will surely tell you my friend/Any minor world that breaks apart falls together again.
I was reminded of that line from the song when I revisited Admiral William McRaven's graduation speech from May 2014 at the University of Texas. You may have heard of this major dude before. He was responsible for implementing and executing Operation Neptune Spear, the special operations raid in Pakistan that led to the death of Osama bin Laden.
It's easy to have preconceived notions of what a military man, a former Navy SEAL believes in his life outlook. It's easy to assume he's a trained warrior with a black and white viewpoint that has no room for the subtle gray of nuance and distinction. I'm not so sure. I've listened to and read the speech several times and, personally, I believe he shares the vision and attitude of Any Major Dude:
I can tell you all I know, the where to go, the what to do/You can try to run but you can't hide from what's inside of you
The speech takes nineteen minutes to watch or ten to read. It's worth it. Now, go make your bed.