Twenty-five years after graduating from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, I’ll be giving the commencement address for the graduates of Holmes Community College. I can’t tell you how excited I am. And how I never dreamed I’d be bestowed such an honor back in 1991.
I knew what I wanted to do (be an editorial cartoonist) but the trail was ill-defined. I had no map — just a compass. That compass was a dream and heart. With no job in sight, (the newspaper business was in a downturn back then, thankfully that’s changed), I hung out with my friends James and Carol Neil Raxter for a few days. Then I limped home.
As I’ve written many times before, I ended up at Pope High School as a night custodian. I felt like it was a defeat, but in hindsight, it was my only true path to where I am now. My attitude and work ethic were sharpened. I made friends. And one of my coworkers set me up with her daughter.
We’ve been married nearly 23 years.
I learned that the path forward sometimes takes a step back — a lesson that I have lived over and over in my career. Things don’t come easy by design. Walls don’t keep you out. They determine how badly you want something.
Most of my worst career moments have led to my biggest career blessings. It’s a balm that keeps me from getting butt-hurt about bad things that happen. When walked across the stage, I thought my talent would propel me to greatness.
While it definitely got my foot in the door, I’ve found these three things have made a bigger difference:
1. Personal relationships.
2. Attitude
3. Work ethic.
I learned all three when I was a janitor. And I’m still learning it today.
I’ll speak for a few minutes, tell a few funny stories and sit down for the real stars of the show: The graduates. I’ll watch them cross the stage, grab hold of the paper that signifies mission accomplished and smile as they head off into the real world.
I wish them luck. As much luck as I’ve had. And when they don’t have any, I hope they remember that they can manufacture their own luck.
Just like I did 25 years ago.