put God first put God first in everything you do everything that you
everything you do everything that you
everything you do everything that you think you see in me everything that I’ve
think you see in me everything that I’ve
think you see in me everything that I’ve accomplished everything that you think I
accomplished everything that you think I
accomplished everything that you think I have and I have a few things everything
have and I have a few things everything
have and I have a few things everything that I have is by the grace of God
that I have is by the grace of God
that I have is by the grace of God understand that it’s a gift 40 years ago
understand that it’s a gift 40 years ago
understand that it’s a gift 40 years ago March 27 1975 it was 40 years ago
March 27 1975 it was 40 years ago
March 27 1975 it was 40 years ago just this past March I was flunking out
just this past March I was flunking out
just this past March I was flunking out of college at a 1.7 grade point average
of college at a 1.7 grade point average
of college at a 1.7 grade point average I hope none of you can relate at a 1.7
I hope none of you can relate at a 1.7
I hope none of you can relate at a 1.7 grade point average I was sitting in my
grade point average I was sitting in my
grade point average I was sitting in my mother’s beauty shop they still call it
mother’s beauty shop they still call it
mother’s beauty shop they still call it beauty shops now what they call it yeah
beauty shops now what they call it yeah
beauty shops now what they call it yeah I’ll sit in the beauty parlor I was
I’ll sit in the beauty parlor I was
I’ll sit in the beauty parlor I was sitting in my mother’s beauty parlor and
sitting in my mother’s beauty parlor and
sitting in my mother’s beauty parlor and I’m looking in the mirror and I see
I’m looking in the mirror and I see
I’m looking in the mirror and I see behind me this woman under the dryer and
behind me this woman under the dryer and
behind me this woman under the dryer and every time she looked up she every time
every time she looked up she every time
every time she looked up she every time I looked up she was looking at me just
I looked up she was looking at me just
I looked up she was looking at me just look at me in the eye I didn’t know who
look at me in the eye I didn’t know who
look at me in the eye I didn’t know who she was and I said you know she said
she was and I said you know she said
she was and I said you know she said somebody give me a pen give me a pen so
somebody give me a pen give me a pen so
somebody give me a pen give me a pen so I have a prophecy March 27 1975 she said
I have a prophecy March 27 1975 she said
I have a prophecy March 27 1975 she said boy you were gonna travel the world and
boy you were gonna travel the world and
boy you were gonna travel the world and speak to millions of people now mind you
speak to millions of people now mind you
speak to millions of people now mind you I flunked out of college I’m thinking
I flunked out of college I’m thinking
I flunked out of college I’m thinking about joining the army I didn’t know
about joining the army I didn’t know
about joining the army I didn’t know what I was gonna do and she’s telling me
what I was gonna do and she’s telling me
what I was gonna do and she’s telling me I’m gonna travel the world and speak to
I’m gonna travel the world and speak to
I’m gonna travel the world and speak to millions of people well I have traveled
millions of people well I have traveled
millions of people well I have traveled the world and I have spoke to millions
the world and I have spoke to millions
the world and I have spoke to millions of people but that’s not the most
of people but that’s not the most
of people but that’s not the most important thing the success that I had
important thing the success that I had
important thing the success that I had the most important thing is that what
the most important thing is that what
the most important thing is that what she taught me and what she told me that
she taught me and what she told me that
she taught me and what she told me that day has stayed with me since I’ve been
day has stayed with me since I’ve been
day has stayed with me since I’ve been protected I’ve been directed I’ve been
protected I’ve been directed I’ve been
protected I’ve been directed I’ve been corrected I’ve kept God in my life and
corrected I’ve kept God in my life and
corrected I’ve kept God in my life and has kept me humble I didn’t always stick
has kept me humble I didn’t always stick
has kept me humble I didn’t always stick with him but he always stuck with me so
with him but he always stuck with me so
with him but he always stuck with me so stick with them in everything you do if
stick with them in everything you do if
stick with them in everything you do if you think you want to do what you think
you think you want to do what you think
you think you want to do what you think I’ve done then do what I’ve done and
I’ve done then do what I’ve done and
I’ve done then do what I’ve done and stick with God number two
stick with God number two
stick with God number two fail big that’s right fail big today’s
fail big that’s right fail big today’s
fail big that’s right fail big today’s the beginning of the rest of your life
the beginning of the rest of your life
the beginning of the rest of your life and it can be couldn’t be very
and it can be couldn’t be very
and it can be couldn’t be very frightening it’s a new world out there
frightening it’s a new world out there
frightening it’s a new world out there it’s a mean world out there and you only
it’s a mean world out there and you only
it’s a mean world out there and you only live once so do what you feel passionate
live once so do what you feel passionate
live once so do what you feel passionate about passionate about take chances
about passionate about take chances
about passionate about take chances professionally don’t be afraid to fail
professionally don’t be afraid to fail
professionally don’t be afraid to fail there’s an old IQ test was nine dots and
there’s an old IQ test was nine dots and
there’s an old IQ test was nine dots and you had to draw five lines with a pencil
you had to draw five lines with a pencil
you had to draw five lines with a pencil within these nine dots without lifting
within these nine dots without lifting
within these nine dots without lifting the pencil the only way to do it was to
the pencil the only way to do it was to
the pencil the only way to do it was to go outside the box so don’t be afraid to
go outside the box so don’t be afraid to
go outside the box so don’t be afraid to go outside the box don’t be afraid to
go outside the box don’t be afraid to
go outside the box don’t be afraid to think outside the box don’t be afraid to
think outside the box don’t be afraid to
think outside the box don’t be afraid to fail big to dream big but remember
fail big to dream big but remember
fail big to dream big but remember dreams without goals are just dreams and
dreams without goals are just dreams and
dreams without goals are just dreams and they ultimately fuel disappointment so
they ultimately fuel disappointment so
they ultimately fuel disappointment so have dreams but have goals life goals
have dreams but have goals life goals
have dreams but have goals life goals yearly goals monthly goals daily goals I
yearly goals monthly goals daily goals I
yearly goals monthly goals daily goals I try to give myself a goal every day
try to give myself a goal every day
try to give myself a goal every day sometimes just to not curse somebody out
sometimes just to not curse somebody out
sometimes just to not curse somebody out simple goals but have goals and
simple goals but have goals and
simple goals but have goals and understand that to achieve these goals
understand that to achieve these goals
understand that to achieve these goals you must apply discipline and
you must apply discipline and
you must apply discipline and consistency in order to achieve your
consistency in order to achieve your
consistency in order to achieve your goals you must apply discipline which
goals you must apply discipline which
goals you must apply discipline which you were already done and consistency
you were already done and consistency
you were already done and consistency every day not just want to Z and miss a
every day not just want to Z and miss a
every day not just want to Z and miss a few days you have to work at it every
few days you have to work at it every
few days you have to work at it every day you have to plan every day you’ve
day you have to plan every day you’ve
day you have to plan every day you’ve heard the saying we don’t plan to fail
heard the saying we don’t plan to fail
heard the saying we don’t plan to fail we fail to plan hard work works working
we fail to plan hard work works working
we fail to plan hard work works working really hard is what successful people do
really hard is what successful people do
really hard is what successful people do and in this
and in this
and in this text tweet torque world that you’ve
text tweet torque world that you’ve
text tweet torque world that you’ve grown up in remember just because you’re
grown up in remember just because you’re
grown up in remember just because you’re doing a lot more doesn’t mean you’re
doing a lot more doesn’t mean you’re
doing a lot more doesn’t mean you’re getting a lot more done remember that
getting a lot more done remember that
getting a lot more done remember that just because you’re doing a lot more
just because you’re doing a lot more
just because you’re doing a lot more doesn’t mean you’re getting a lot more
doesn’t mean you’re getting a lot more
doesn’t mean you’re getting a lot more done don’t confuse movement with
done don’t confuse movement with
done don’t confuse movement with progress my mother told me yeah yeah cuz
progress my mother told me yeah yeah cuz
progress my mother told me yeah yeah cuz you can run in place all the time and
you can run in place all the time and
you can run in place all the time and never get anywhere so continue to strive
never get anywhere so continue to strive
never get anywhere so continue to strive continue to have goals continue to
continue to have goals continue to
continue to have goals continue to progress number three you’ll never see a
progress number three you’ll never see a
progress number three you’ll never see a u-haul behind a hearse I’ll say it again
u-haul behind a hearse I’ll say it again
u-haul behind a hearse I’ll say it again you’ll never see a u-haul behind a
you’ll never see a u-haul behind a
you’ll never see a u-haul behind a hearse I don’t care how much money you
hearse I don’t care how much money you
hearse I don’t care how much money you make you can’t take it with you the
make you can’t take it with you the
make you can’t take it with you the Egyptians tried it they got robbed as
Egyptians tried it they got robbed as
Egyptians tried it they got robbed as all they got you can’t take it with you
all they got you can’t take it with you
all they got you can’t take it with you with you and it’s not how much you have
with you and it’s not how much you have
with you and it’s not how much you have it’s what you do with what you have we
it’s what you do with what you have we
it’s what you do with what you have we all have different talents some of you
all have different talents some of you
all have different talents some of you will be doctors some lawyers some
will be doctors some lawyers some
will be doctors some lawyers some scientists some educators some nurses
scientists some educators some nurses
scientists some educators some nurses some teachers yeah okay some preachers
some teachers yeah okay some preachers
some teachers yeah okay some preachers the most selfish thing you can do in
the most selfish thing you can do in
the most selfish thing you can do in this world is help someone else why is
this world is help someone else why is
this world is help someone else why is it selfish because the gratification the
it selfish because the gratification the
it selfish because the gratification the goodness that comes to you the good
goodness that comes to you the good
goodness that comes to you the good feeling the good feeling that I get from
feeling the good feeling that I get from
feeling the good feeling that I get from helping others nothing’s better than
helping others nothing’s better than
helping others nothing’s better than that well one or two things but
that well one or two things but
that well one or two things but nothing’s better than that not not
nothing’s better than that not not
nothing’s better than that not not jewelry not big house I have not two
jewelry not big house I have not two
jewelry not big house I have not two cars but it’s the joy that’s where the
cars but it’s the joy that’s where the
cars but it’s the joy that’s where the joy is in helping others that’s where
joy is in helping others that’s where
joy is in helping others that’s where the success is in helping others
the success is in helping others
the success is in helping others finally I pray that you put your
finally I pray that you put your
finally I pray that you put your slippers way under the bed tonight so
slippers way under the bed tonight so
slippers way under the bed tonight so that when you wake up in the morning you
that when you wake up in the morning you
that when you wake up in the morning you have to get on your knees to reach them
have to get on your knees to reach them
have to get on your knees to reach them and while you in while you’re down there
and while you in while you’re down there
and while you in while you’re down there say thank you for grace
say thank you for grace
say thank you for grace thank you for mercy thank you for
thank you for mercy thank you for
thank you for mercy thank you for understanding
understanding
understanding thank you for wisdom thank you for
thank you for wisdom thank you for
thank you for wisdom thank you for parents
parents
parents thank you for love thank you for
thank you for love thank you for
thank you for love thank you for kindness thank you for humility
kindness thank you for humility
kindness thank you for humility thank you for peace thank you for
thank you for peace thank you for
thank you for peace thank you for Prosperity say thank you in advance for
Prosperity say thank you in advance for
Prosperity say thank you in advance for what’s already yours how I live my life
what’s already yours how I live my life
what’s already yours how I live my life that’s where I am one of the reasons why
that’s where I am one of the reasons why
that’s where I am one of the reasons why I am today say thank you in advance for
I am today say thank you in advance for
I am today say thank you in advance for what is already yours
what is already yours
what is already yours true desire in the heart for anything
true desire in the heart for anything
true desire in the heart for anything good is God’s proof to you sit
good is God’s proof to you sit
good is God’s proof to you sit beforehand to indicate that it’s yours
beforehand to indicate that it’s yours
beforehand to indicate that it’s yours already I’ll say it again true desire in
already I’ll say it again true desire in
already I’ll say it again true desire in the heart that itch that you have
the heart that itch that you have
the heart that itch that you have whatever it is you want to do that thing
whatever it is you want to do that thing
whatever it is you want to do that thing that you want to do to help others in to
that you want to do to help others in to
that you want to do to help others in to grow and to make money that desire that
grow and to make money that desire that
grow and to make money that desire that itch that’s God’s proof to you sit
itch that’s God’s proof to you sit
itch that’s God’s proof to you sit beforehand already to indicate that it’s
beforehand already to indicate that it’s
beforehand already to indicate that it’s yours and anything you want good you can
yours and anything you want good you can
yours and anything you want good you can have so claim it work hard to get it
have so claim it work hard to get it
have so claim it work hard to get it when you get it reach back pull someone
when you get it reach back pull someone
when you get it reach back pull someone else up each one teach one
else up each one teach one
else up each one teach one don’t just aspire to make a living
don’t just aspire to make a living
don’t just aspire to make a living aspire to make a difference so I had to
aspire to make a difference so I had to
aspire to make a difference so I had to be here I had to come
be here I had to come
be here I had to come even though I was afraid I might make a
even though I was afraid I might make a
even though I was afraid I might make a fool of myself in fact if you really
fool of myself in fact if you really
fool of myself in fact if you really want to know the truth
want to know the truth
want to know the truth I had to come exactly because I had to
I had to come exactly because I had to
I had to come exactly because I had to come exactly because I might make a fool
come exactly because I might make a fool
come exactly because I might make a fool of myself you know what am I talking
of myself you know what am I talking
of myself you know what am I talking about
about
about here it is I found that nothing in life
here it is I found that nothing in life
here it is I found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks
is worthwhile unless you take risks
is worthwhile unless you take risks nothing Nelson Mandela said there is no
nothing Nelson Mandela said there is no
nothing Nelson Mandela said there is no passion to be found playing small and
passion to be found playing small and
passion to be found playing small and settling for a life that’s less than the
settling for a life that’s less than the
settling for a life that’s less than the one you’re capable of living now I’m
one you’re capable of living now I’m
one you’re capable of living now I’m sure in your experiences in school and
sure in your experiences in school and
sure in your experiences in school and applying to college and picking your
applying to college and picking your
applying to college and picking your major and deciding what you want to do
major and deciding what you want to do
major and deciding what you want to do with life I’m sure people that told you
with life I’m sure people that told you
with life I’m sure people that told you to make sure you have something to fall
to make sure you have something to fall
to make sure you have something to fall back on make sure you got something to
back on make sure you got something to
back on make sure you got something to fall back on honey
fall back on honey
fall back on honey but I never understood that concept
but I never understood that concept
but I never understood that concept having something to fall back on
having something to fall back on
having something to fall back on if I’m going to fall I don’t want to
if I’m going to fall I don’t want to
if I’m going to fall I don’t want to fall back on anything except my faith I
fall back on anything except my faith I
fall back on anything except my faith I want to fall forward I figure at least
want to fall forward I figure at least
want to fall forward I figure at least this way I’ll see what I’m going to hit
this way I’ll see what I’m going to hit
this way I’ll see what I’m going to hit [Music]
[Music]
[Music] fall forward this is what I mean Reggie
fall forward this is what I mean Reggie
fall forward this is what I mean Reggie Jackson struck out 26 hundred times in
Jackson struck out 26 hundred times in
Jackson struck out 26 hundred times in his career the most in the history of
his career the most in the history of
his career the most in the history of baseball but you don’t hear about the
baseball but you don’t hear about the
baseball but you don’t hear about the strikeouts people remember the homeruns
strikeouts people remember the homeruns
strikeouts people remember the homeruns fall forward Thomas Edison conducted
fall forward Thomas Edison conducted
fall forward Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments did you know
1,000 failed experiments did you know
1,000 failed experiments did you know that I didn’t know that because the
that I didn’t know that because the
that I didn’t know that because the 1,000 and first was the light bulb fall
1,000 and first was the light bulb fall
1,000 and first was the light bulb fall forward every failed experiment is one
forward every failed experiment is one
forward every failed experiment is one step closer to success you’ve got to
step closer to success you’ve got to
step closer to success you’ve got to take risks and I’m sure you’ve probably
take risks and I’m sure you’ve probably
take risks and I’m sure you’ve probably heard that before but I want to talk to
heard that before but I want to talk to
heard that before but I want to talk to you about why that’s important I got
you about why that’s important I got
you about why that’s important I got three reasons and and you can pick up
three reasons and and you can pick up
three reasons and and you can pick up your iphones first you will fail at some
your iphones first you will fail at some
your iphones first you will fail at some point in your life except it you will
point in your life except it you will
point in your life except it you will lose you will embarrass yourself you
lose you will embarrass yourself you
lose you will embarrass yourself you will suck at some
will suck at some
will suck at some there’s no doubt about it and I know
there’s no doubt about it and I know
there’s no doubt about it and I know that’s probably not a traditional
that’s probably not a traditional
that’s probably not a traditional message for a graduation ceremony but a
message for a graduation ceremony but a
message for a graduation ceremony but a I’m telling you embrace it because it’s
I’m telling you embrace it because it’s
I’m telling you embrace it because it’s inevitable and I should know in the
inevitable and I should know in the
inevitable and I should know in the acting business you fail all the time
acting business you fail all the time
acting business you fail all the time early on in my career I auditioned for a
early on in my career I auditioned for a
early on in my career I auditioned for a part in a Broadway musical perfect role
part in a Broadway musical perfect role
part in a Broadway musical perfect role for me I thought except for the fact
for me I thought except for the fact
for me I thought except for the fact that I can’t sing so I’m in the wings
that I can’t sing so I’m in the wings
that I can’t sing so I’m in the wings I’m about to go onstage but the guy in
I’m about to go onstage but the guy in
I’m about to go onstage but the guy in front of me he’s singing like like like
front of me he’s singing like like like
front of me he’s singing like like like Pavarotti just going on and on and on
Pavarotti just going on and on and on
Pavarotti just going on and on and on and I’m just shrinking I’m getting
and I’m just shrinking I’m getting
and I’m just shrinking I’m getting smaller and smaller so they say oh thank
smaller and smaller so they say oh thank
smaller and smaller so they say oh thank you very much thank you very much and
you very much thank you very much and
you very much thank you very much and you will you’ll be hearing from us so I
you will you’ll be hearing from us so I
you will you’ll be hearing from us so I come out with my little sheet music and
come out with my little sheet music and
come out with my little sheet music and it was it was a just my imagination by
it was it was a just my imagination by
it was it was a just my imagination by the temptations that’s what I came up
the temptations that’s what I came up
the temptations that’s what I came up with so I hand it to the the the
with so I hand it to the the the
with so I hand it to the the the accompany us and she looks at it and
accompany us and she looks at it and
accompany us and she looks at it and looks at me and looks at it the director
looks at me and looks at it the director
looks at me and looks at it the director and was like so I start you know that
and was like so I start you know that
and was like so I start you know that I’m gonna sing I’m like
[Music]
[Music] once again and then carrying away with
once again and then carrying away with
once again and then carrying away with me and I’m not saying anything so I’m
me and I’m not saying anything so I’m
me and I’m not saying anything so I’m thinking I’m getting better I start
thinking I’m getting better I start
thinking I’m getting better I start getting into it running this hour yeah
getting into it running this hour yeah
getting into it running this hour yeah yeah thank you thank you thank you thank
yeah thank you thank you thank you thank
yeah thank you thank you thank you thank you very much mr. Washington thank you
you very much mr. Washington thank you
you very much mr. Washington thank you so I assumed I didn’t get the job but
so I assumed I didn’t get the job but
so I assumed I didn’t get the job but the next part of the audition he called
the next part of the audition he called
the next part of the audition he called me back the next part in the audition is
me back the next part in the audition is
me back the next part in the audition is the acting part of the audition so I’m
the acting part of the audition so I’m
the acting part of the audition so I’m like hey okay maybe I can’t sing but I
like hey okay maybe I can’t sing but I
like hey okay maybe I can’t sing but I know I can act so they pair me with this
know I can act so they pair me with this
know I can act so they pair me with this guy and again I didn’t know about
guy and again I didn’t know about
guy and again I didn’t know about musical theater and musical theater is
musical theater and musical theater is
musical theater and musical theater is big so they could reach everyone all the
big so they could reach everyone all the
big so they could reach everyone all the way in the back of the stadium it and
way in the back of the stadium it and
way in the back of the stadium it and I’m more from realistic naturalistic
I’m more from realistic naturalistic
I’m more from realistic naturalistic kind of acting where you you know you
kind of acting where you you know you
kind of acting where you you know you actually talk to the person next to you
actually talk to the person next to you
actually talk to the person next to you so I don’t know what my line was my line
so I don’t know what my line was my line
so I don’t know what my line was my line was will hand me the cup and his line
was will hand me the cup and his line
was will hand me the cup and his line was well I will hand you the cup my dear
was well I will hand you the cup my dear
was well I will hand you the cup my dear the cup would be there to be handed to
the cup would be there to be handed to
the cup would be there to be handed to you I said okay well should I give you
you I said okay well should I give you
you I said okay well should I give you the cup back oh yes you should give it
the cup back oh yes you should give it
the cup back oh yes you should give it back to me because you know that is my
back to me because you know that is my
back to me because you know that is my cup and it should be given back to me I
but here’s the thing I didn’t quit I
but here’s the thing I didn’t quit I didn’t fall back I walked out of there
didn’t fall back I walked out of there
didn’t fall back I walked out of there to prepare for the next audition and the
to prepare for the next audition and the
to prepare for the next audition and the next audition and the next audition I
next audition and the next audition I
next audition and the next audition I prayed I prayed and I pray but I
prayed I prayed and I pray but I
prayed I prayed and I pray but I continued to fail and fail and fail but
continued to fail and fail and fail but
continued to fail and fail and fail but it didn’t matter because you know what
it didn’t matter because you know what
it didn’t matter because you know what there’s an old saying you hang around
there’s an old saying you hang around
there’s an old saying you hang around the barbershop long enough sooner or
the barbershop long enough sooner or
the barbershop long enough sooner or later you’re gonna get a haircut so you
later you’re gonna get a haircut so you
later you’re gonna get a haircut so you will catch a break and I did catch a
will catch a break and I did catch a
will catch a break and I did catch a break last year I did a play called
break last year I did a play called
break last year I did a play called fences on Broadway someone talked about
fences on Broadway someone talked about
fences on Broadway someone talked about it won the Tony Award and I didn’t have
it won the Tony Award and I didn’t have
it won the Tony Award and I didn’t have to sing by the way but here’s the kicker
to sing by the way but here’s the kicker
to sing by the way but here’s the kicker he was at the Court Theatre it was at
he was at the Court Theatre it was at
he was at the Court Theatre it was at the same theatre that I failed that
the same theatre that I failed that
the same theatre that I failed that first audition 30 years prior the point
first audition 30 years prior the point
first audition 30 years prior the point is and I’ll pick up the pace the point
is and I’ll pick up the pace the point
is and I’ll pick up the pace the point is every graduate here today has the
is every graduate here today has the
is every graduate here today has the training and the talent to succeed but
training and the talent to succeed but
training and the talent to succeed but do you have the guts to fail here’s my
do you have the guts to fail here’s my
do you have the guts to fail here’s my second point about failure if you don’t
second point about failure if you don’t
second point about failure if you don’t fail you’re not even trying
fail you’re not even trying
fail you’re not even trying I’ll say it again if you don’t fail
I’ll say it again if you don’t fail
I’ll say it again if you don’t fail you’re not even trying my wife told me
you’re not even trying my wife told me
you’re not even trying my wife told me this great expression to get something
this great expression to get something
this great expression to get something you never had you have to do something
you never had you have to do something
you never had you have to do something you never did Les Brown’s a motivational
you never did Les Brown’s a motivational
you never did Les Brown’s a motivational speaker you made an analogy about this
speaker you made an analogy about this
speaker you made an analogy about this he says imagine you’re on your deathbed
he says imagine you’re on your deathbed
he says imagine you’re on your deathbed and standing around your deathbed are
and standing around your deathbed are
and standing around your deathbed are the ghosts representing your unfulfilled
the ghosts representing your unfulfilled
the ghosts representing your unfulfilled potential the ghost of the ideas you
potential the ghost of the ideas you
potential the ghost of the ideas you never acted on the ghosts of the talents
never acted on the ghosts of the talents
never acted on the ghosts of the talents you didn’t use and they’re standing
you didn’t use and they’re standing
you didn’t use and they’re standing around your bed angry disappointed and
around your bed angry disappointed and
around your bed angry disappointed and upset they say we came to you because
upset they say we came to you because
upset they say we came to you because you could have brought us to life they
you could have brought us to life they
you could have brought us to life they and now we have to go to the grave
and now we have to go to the grave
and now we have to go to the grave together so I ask you today how many
together so I ask you today how many
together so I ask you today how many ghosts are going to be around your bed
ghosts are going to be around your bed
ghosts are going to be around your bed when your time comes you go West you
when your time comes you go West you
when your time comes you go West you you’ve invested a lot in your education
you’ve invested a lot in your education
you’ve invested a lot in your education and people have invested in you and let
and people have invested in you and let
and people have invested in you and let me tell you the world needs your talents
me tell you the world needs your talents
me tell you the world needs your talents and does it ever I just got back from
and does it ever I just got back from
and does it ever I just got back from Africa like two days ago so if I’m
Africa like two days ago so if I’m
Africa like two days ago so if I’m rambling on it’s cuz I’m jet lag I just
rambling on it’s cuz I’m jet lag I just
rambling on it’s cuz I’m jet lag I just got back from South Africa’s beautiful
got back from South Africa’s beautiful
got back from South Africa’s beautiful country but there are places there with
country but there are places there with
country but there are places there with terrible part of it poverty that need
terrible part of it poverty that need
terrible part of it poverty that need help when Africa’s just the tip of the
help when Africa’s just the tip of the
help when Africa’s just the tip of the iceberg the Middle East needs your help
iceberg the Middle East needs your help
iceberg the Middle East needs your help Japan needs your help Alabama needs your
Japan needs your help Alabama needs your
Japan needs your help Alabama needs your help Tennessee needs your help
help Tennessee needs your help
help Tennessee needs your help Louisiana needs your help Philadelphia
Louisiana needs your help Philadelphia
Louisiana needs your help Philadelphia needs your help the world the world
needs your help the world the world
needs your help the world the world needs a lot and we need it from you we
needs a lot and we need it from you we
needs a lot and we need it from you we really do we need it from you young
really do we need it from you young
really do we need it from you young people I mean I’m not speaking for the
people I mean I’m not speaking for the
people I mean I’m not speaking for the rest of us up here but I know I’m
rest of us up here but I know I’m
rest of us up here but I know I’m getting a little grayer we need it from
getting a little grayer we need it from
getting a little grayer we need it from you the young people because remember
you the young people because remember
you the young people because remember this so you got to get out there you got
this so you got to get out there you got
this so you got to get out there you got to give it everything you got
to give it everything you got
to give it everything you got whether it’s your time your your your
whether it’s your time your your your
whether it’s your time your your your talent your prayers or your treasures
talent your prayers or your treasures
talent your prayers or your treasures because remember this you will never see
because remember this you will never see
because remember this you will never see a u-haul behind a hearse
I’ll say it again you will never see a
I’ll say it again you will never see a u-haul behind a hearse you can’t take it
u-haul behind a hearse you can’t take it
u-haul behind a hearse you can’t take it with you
with you
with you the Egyptians tried it and all they got
the Egyptians tried it and all they got
the Egyptians tried it and all they got was robbed so the question is what are
was robbed so the question is what are
was robbed so the question is what are you going to do with what you have I’m
you going to do with what you have I’m
you going to do with what you have I’m not talking about how much you have some
not talking about how much you have some
not talking about how much you have some of you are business majors some of you
of you are business majors some of you
of you are business majors some of you are theologians nurses sociologists some
are theologians nurses sociologists some
are theologians nurses sociologists some of you have money some of you have
of you have money some of you have
of you have money some of you have patients some of you have kindness some
patients some of you have kindness some
patients some of you have kindness some of you have loved some of you have the
of you have loved some of you have the
of you have loved some of you have the gift of long-suffering whatever it is
gift of long-suffering whatever it is
gift of long-suffering whatever it is whatever your gift is what are you going
whatever your gift is what are you going
whatever your gift is what are you going to do with what you have all right now
to do with what you have all right now
to do with what you have all right now here’s my last point about failure
here’s my last point about failure
here’s my last point about failure sometimes it’s the best way to figure
sometimes it’s the best way to figure
sometimes it’s the best way to figure out where you’re going your life will
out where you’re going your life will
out where you’re going your life will never be a straight path I began at
never be a straight path I began at
never be a straight path I began at Fordham University as a pre-med student
Fordham University as a pre-med student
Fordham University as a pre-med student I took a course called the cardiac
I took a course called the cardiac
I took a course called the cardiac morphus I still can’t see it cardiac
morphus I still can’t see it cardiac
morphus I still can’t see it cardiac cardiac morphogenesis I couldn’t read it
cardiac morphogenesis I couldn’t read it
cardiac morphogenesis I couldn’t read it I couldn’t say it I sure couldn’t pass
I couldn’t say it I sure couldn’t pass
I couldn’t say it I sure couldn’t pass it so then I decided to go into pre-law
it so then I decided to go into pre-law
it so then I decided to go into pre-law then journalism and with no academic
then journalism and with no academic
then journalism and with no academic focus my grades took off in their own
focus my grades took off in their own
focus my grades took off in their own direction
yeah down I was a 1.8 GPA one semester
yeah down I was a 1.8 GPA one semester and the University very politely
and the University very politely
and the University very politely suggested that it might be better to
suggested that it might be better to
suggested that it might be better to take some time off I was twenty years
take some time off I was twenty years
take some time off I was twenty years old I was at my lowest point and then
old I was at my lowest point and then
old I was at my lowest point and then one day and I remember the exact day
one day and I remember the exact day
one day and I remember the exact day March 27 1975 I was helping my mother in
March 27 1975 I was helping my mother in
March 27 1975 I was helping my mother in her beauty shop my mother owned a beauty
her beauty shop my mother owned a beauty
her beauty shop my mother owned a beauty shop up in my Vernon and there’s there
shop up in my Vernon and there’s there
shop up in my Vernon and there’s there was this older woman who was considered
was this older woman who was considered
was this older woman who was considered one of the elders in the town and I
one of the elders in the town and I
one of the elders in the town and I didn’t know her personally but I was
didn’t know her personally but I was
didn’t know her personally but I was looking in the mirror and every time I
looking in the mirror and every time I
looking in the mirror and every time I looked at the mirror I could see her
looked at the mirror I could see her
looked at the mirror I could see her behind me and she was staring at me she
behind me and she was staring at me she
behind me and she was staring at me she just kept looking at me every time I
just kept looking at me every time I
just kept looking at me every time I looked at it she kept giving me these
looked at it she kept giving me these
looked at it she kept giving me these strange looks so she finally took the
strange looks so she finally took the
strange looks so she finally took the dryer off her head and says the sump she
dryer off her head and says the sump she
dryer off her head and says the sump she said something I’ll never forget
said something I’ll never forget
said something I’ll never forget first of all she said somebody give me a
first of all she said somebody give me a
first of all she said somebody give me a piece of paper give me a piece of paper
piece of paper give me a piece of paper
piece of paper give me a piece of paper she said young boy I have a prophecy a
she said young boy I have a prophecy a
she said young boy I have a prophecy a spiritual prophecy she said you are
spiritual prophecy she said you are
spiritual prophecy she said you are going to travel the world and speak to
going to travel the world and speak to
going to travel the world and speak to millions of people now mind you I’m 20
millions of people now mind you I’m 20
millions of people now mind you I’m 20 years old I’m flunked out of school
years old I’m flunked out of school
years old I’m flunked out of school in fact like a wiseass I’m thinking to
in fact like a wiseass I’m thinking to
in fact like a wiseass I’m thinking to myself maybe she’s got something in that
myself maybe she’s got something in that
myself maybe she’s got something in that crystal ball about me getting back into
crystal ball about me getting back into
crystal ball about me getting back into school next fall but maybe she was onto
school next fall but maybe she was onto
school next fall but maybe she was onto something because later that summer
something because later that summer
something because later that summer while working as a counselor to YMCA
while working as a counselor to YMCA
while working as a counselor to YMCA camp in Connecticut we put on a talent
camp in Connecticut we put on a talent
camp in Connecticut we put on a talent show for the campers and after the show
show for the campers and after the show
show for the campers and after the show another counselor came up to me and
another counselor came up to me and
another counselor came up to me and asked have you ever thought about acting
asked have you ever thought about acting
asked have you ever thought about acting you’re good at that so when I got back
you’re good at that so when I got back
you’re good at that so when I got back to Fortinet fall I got in and I changed
to Fortinet fall I got in and I changed
to Fortinet fall I got in and I changed my major once again for the last time
my major once again for the last time
my major once again for the last time and in the years that followed just as
and in the years that followed just as
and in the years that followed just as that woman prophesized
that woman prophesized
that woman prophesized I have traveled the world and I have
I have traveled the world and I have
I have traveled the world and I have spoken to millions of people through my
spoken to millions of people through my
spoken to millions of people through my movies millions who up till this day
movies millions who up till this day
movies millions who up till this day couldn’t see me up till this day I
couldn’t see me up till this day I
couldn’t see me up till this day I couldn’t see while I was talking to them
couldn’t see while I was talking to them
couldn’t see while I was talking to them and they couldn’t see me they could only
and they couldn’t see me they could only
and they couldn’t see me they could only see the movie they couldn’t see the real
see the movie they couldn’t see the real
see the movie they couldn’t see the real me but I see you today and I’m
me but I see you today and I’m
me but I see you today and I’m encouraged by what I see and I’m
encouraged by what I see and I’m
encouraged by what I see and I’m strengthened by what I see
strengthened by what I see
strengthened by what I see and I love what I see
one more page and I’ll shut up let me
one more page and I’ll shut up let me conclude with this one final point
conclude with this one final point
conclude with this one final point actually the president kind of brought
actually the president kind of brought
actually the president kind of brought it up has to do with the movie
it up has to do with the movie
it up has to do with the movie Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia she stole my material many years ago I
she stole my material many years ago I
she stole my material many years ago I did this movie called Philadelphia we
did this movie called Philadelphia we
did this movie called Philadelphia we filmed some of the scenes right here on
filmed some of the scenes right here on
filmed some of the scenes right here on campus Philadelphia came out in 1993
campus Philadelphia came out in 1993
campus Philadelphia came out in 1993 most of you were probably still in
most of you were probably still in
most of you were probably still in diapers
diapers
diapers some of the professor’s – that cracked
some of the professor’s – that cracked
some of the professor’s – that cracked me up but it was a good movie renting on
me up but it was a good movie renting on
me up but it was a good movie renting on it what do you call it Netflix it’s a
it what do you call it Netflix it’s a
it what do you call it Netflix it’s a good movie renting I get 23 cents every
good movie renting I get 23 cents every
good movie renting I get 23 cents every time you ran it please
time you ran it please
time you ran it please true parents up their rent rent rented
true parents up their rent rent rented
true parents up their rent rent rented Netflix
Netflix
Netflix please tell your friends – it’s about a
please tell your friends – it’s about a
please tell your friends – it’s about a man played by Tom Hanks who’s fired from
man played by Tom Hanks who’s fired from
man played by Tom Hanks who’s fired from his law firm because he has AIDS he
his law firm because he has AIDS he
his law firm because he has AIDS he wants to sue the firm but no one’s
wants to sue the firm but no one’s
wants to sue the firm but no one’s willing to represent him until the
willing to represent him until the
willing to represent him until the homophobic ambulance chaser lawyer
homophobic ambulance chaser lawyer
homophobic ambulance chaser lawyer played by yours truly takes on the case
played by yours truly takes on the case
played by yours truly takes on the case in a way if you watch the movie you’ll
in a way if you watch the movie you’ll
in a way if you watch the movie you’ll see everything I’m talking about today
see everything I’m talking about today
see everything I’m talking about today you’ll see what I mean about taking risk
you’ll see what I mean about taking risk
you’ll see what I mean about taking risk or being willing to fail because taking
or being willing to fail because taking
or being willing to fail because taking risk is not just about going for a job
risk is not just about going for a job
risk is not just about going for a job it’s also about knowing what you know
it’s also about knowing what you know
it’s also about knowing what you know and what you don’t know it’s about being
and what you don’t know it’s about being
and what you don’t know it’s about being open to people and to ideas in the
open to people and to ideas in the
open to people and to ideas in the course of the film the character I play
course of the film the character I play
course of the film the character I play begins to take small steps small risks
begins to take small steps small risks
begins to take small steps small risks he’s very very very slowly begins to
he’s very very very slowly begins to
he’s very very very slowly begins to overcome his fears and I feel ultimately
overcome his fears and I feel ultimately
overcome his fears and I feel ultimately his heart becomes flooded with love and
his heart becomes flooded with love and
his heart becomes flooded with love and I can’t think of a better message as we
I can’t think of a better message as we
I can’t think of a better message as we send you off today to not only take
send you off today to not only take
send you off today to not only take risks but to be open to life to accept
risks but to be open to life to accept
risks but to be open to life to accept new views and to be open to new opinions
new views and to be open to new opinions
new views and to be open to new opinions to be willing to speak at a commencement
to be willing to speak at a commencement
to be willing to speak at a commencement at one of the best country best
at one of the best country best
at one of the best country best universities in the country even though
universities in the country even though
universities in the country even though you’re scared stiff while it may be
you’re scared stiff while it may be
you’re scared stiff while it may be frightening it
frightening it
frightening it we’ll also be rewarding because the
we’ll also be rewarding because the
we’ll also be rewarding because the chances you take the people you meet the
chances you take the people you meet the
chances you take the people you meet the people you love the faith that you have
people you love the faith that you have
people you love the faith that you have that’s what’s going to define you so
that’s what’s going to define you so
that’s what’s going to define you so members of the class of 2011 this is
members of the class of 2011 this is
members of the class of 2011 this is your mission when you leave the friendly
your mission when you leave the friendly
your mission when you leave the friendly confines of Philly never be discouraged
confines of Philly never be discouraged
confines of Philly never be discouraged never hold back give everything you’ve
never hold back give everything you’ve
never hold back give everything you’ve got and when you fall throughout life
got and when you fall throughout life
got and when you fall throughout life and remember this fall forward
”
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