'Tis the season of graduation. Caps fly in the air and tassels swing wildly as young adults leave the past behind and focus on the future with hope and trepidation. (But mostly, hope.)
Preschoolers march around in a circle proclaiming that they have "graduated" to Kindergarten. They have learned to "socialize" with their peers, find their cubby, share their toys and wash their hands without help.
These lessons may be the most important lessons of their entire lives. And yet, as their chubby little fingers grasp certificates of achievement, they too focus on the future and wonder if Kindergarten has good snacks.
Today can be a day of graduation for you too.
What would you like to put behind you?
Whether it's the weight of the world, the albatross around your neck or the chip on your shoulder -- today is the day you can choose to focus on the future and leave that experience, thought or behavior, behind.
It is true -- there is no official ceremony, and your parents will not be there to take pictures of your beaming smile as you walk across the stage of your mind.
But once you shake it off (whatever "it" is) your life will change for the better and you too will step proudly into a new future.
But how do we shake things off?
Like a middle-school pre-teen heading into high school, we have a gut feeling that NOTHING could be worse than 7th grade. At the same time, we are faced with the reality that high school presents a series of risks.
We will be plunging into a brand new world -- as a newbie. What if we don't have the right stuff? What if we get picked on, fail AP History, can't find our classrooms and get shoved into a locker? It's all a possibility.
But remember, you might get an A in AP History, find your best lifelong friend and save someone else from getting shoved into a locker. You may come out of high school with a long list of things to shake off but more likely it will be a list of good and bad, sweet and sour, melancholy and elation.
The trick is to identify those items that are better left in the past and focus on your bright future.
Coach Me Quick Tips for shaking it off:
1. Where do you hear yourself using the phrases; "should have," "could have," or "would have"?
Whatever those phrases are attached to can go right to the shake it off list; the job you could have gotten, the raise you would have gotten or the way you should have spoken to your child. If you need to make amends or have an honest conversation with someone, make it happen. Write it in a letter, scream it in the shower or pound a pillow. Do what you need to do and then shake it off.
2. Notice where you have felt rejected or disappointed by another person.
Is it true that they rejected or disappointed you? Or, were they just being themselves -- and you felt rejected and disappointed? It's a small distinction, but if you can take responsibility for how you are feeling, you have the power to shift. If you blame someone else, they have the power. Take the power back and shake it off.
3. Be as excited about your future as you would be about your child's future.
Stand on the sidelines of your own life and applaud, take pictures and cheer. Don't discount your achievements -- make a big deal about small wins. Love yourself unconditionally.
And here's some very good news; the snacks just keep getting better.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.