There are absolutely a gazillion things I could say to you on this topic and I'm only 19. So, of course, I must acknowledge the fact that most of you already know what I have to say.
        I think one of the most important things in life is fun. It's what makes it worthwhile. But, of course, life is never all about fun. Life is such an amazing experience. I believe we are all here to learn and help others learn. I also believe that everything happens for a reason. That has been so true in my own life. Bad things happen and I don't understand them but maybe a year later I look back and think that it was the best thing that could have happened. Maybe because it allowed something else to happen, or maybe I learned something really good from it. Even when good things happen, they happen for a reason. Perhaps it's your turn, or it helps you to help someone else learn. But things don't always just happen to you, many times the major events in your life are decisions made by you. And I think that even when you think you're making a decision, there is really someone guiding you through it. How many times have you been in the process of making a decision and your heart says one thing but your mind says another?
        When I left Drake University I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I just knew my heart said, "Go home." And when I think "What am I going to do now?" it scares me, but I know I made the right decision. I read a poster by Helen Mallacoat the other day that said it all.
"I was regretting the past and fearing the future. Suddenly my lord was speaking. 'My name is I AM.' He paused. I waited. He continued. 'When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard, I am not there. My name is not I WAS. When you live in the future with its problems and fears, it is hard, I am not there. My name is not I WILL BE. When you live in the moment it is not hard. I am here. My name is I AM.'"
        But life isn't all about the tough stuff either. You know one of my favorite things about musical snow globes? I love the fact that it's this whole little world that we can be a part of and everyone inside is having so much fun. Every day you can look at it and the scene inside will boost your spirits. It has the ability to do that because it reminds you of special times in your own life; moments with friends or family, happy or bittersweet. Looking at a Sleeping Beauty globe I can remember when I first saw the movie and who I was with. I can remember my favorite songs from it. For example, hearing the music "Bibbidid-Bobbidi-Boo" leads to memories of my brothers, or makes me think of the scene where the fairy godmothers are fighting over the color of the dress: "Pink." "Blue." "Pink." "Blue." Even music alone can bring back memories. Hearing "Silent Night" makes me think of Christmas with Grammy and Poppy. Hearing music from "Rent" makes me think of Drake.
        So...we're back to fun, the most important part. It's fun that creates all of these great memories. I don't think we can have enough fun. We need to take time off from sending memos and going to business luncheons to go out and have snowball fights, roll down a hill and get grass stains, play Frisbee, sing karaoke, finger-paint. These are the things we are going to remember. I'm not telling you anything you don't already know. I'm just saying this to make you remember there is so much to life that we take for granted or just miss out on and I don't want us to miss anymore.