The graduating class: You're not special

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To those deaf and hard of hearing students who have graduated from high school or college, I have something to say to you in the hope that you'll be inspired to rethink of what the world awaits you once you get your diploma or degree.

All of your life growing up you have been coddled and pampered upon. You have been fawned and doted upon by your parents and grandparents. Your Mommy or Daddy, or both, have held you, hugged you, kissed you, fed you breakfast, lunch and dinner, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, listened to your complaints, your rants, your rage, your sadness and joys. You've had people who encouraged you, sympathized you, consoled you and encouraged you again umpteen times.

And over the years you had your sports games, your theatrical plays, musical recitals, and the many science fairs. Or you became class president, secretary or treasury and delved into school politics or became the school newspaper editor or reporter. Maybe you were well liked by friends and acquaintances where they would smile at you the moment you step into a classroom or whenever you approach them at a cafeteria table. Or they would take delight with your constant tweets or blogs thinking you're cleaver or funny.

Having said those things just don't get the idea that you're special because you're not. You're not the center of it all. The Earth is not the center of our solar system. Our solar system is not the center of its galaxy. Our galaxy is not the center of our universe. You're one of the many thousands of deaf and hard of hearing people who have graduated at a deaf-run school, a mainstreamed one or a regular school. Some graduated as valedictorians or class presidents, often with honors of some sort with glittering trophies and shiny medals and the many accolades that came with it. Each of you at graduation day all dressed alike. Same diploma or same degree that everybody expect to have in their hands with the only difference being it has your name on it.

Instead of thinking you're special, which is a dangerous thing to do, look for challenges in life. Embrace them. Think of it as if you're on a quest to climb one of the highest mountains because it's there. It beckons you and smirks at you saying, "Try and climb me! I bet you can't!"   You climb because it is there. You see it as a challenge. You climb so you can see the world below you and not about whether the world can see you because you're an insignificant speck on that mountain top. No one sees but yourself. You're not special.

There are 6.8 billion people on this planet.  Once you understand that then that's when you may finally understand that you're not that special.  You are preparing and bracing yourself on what life will ultimately give you. But to be sure, please do whatever you do for no other reason than you love it and believe in its importance. And in the process change our culture so that it rewards genuine passion, genuine hard work and genuine achievement instead of accolades as an appeasement.

Happy belated graduation!