Our Stories Are Our Ladders to the Stars

By Jenna |

2016 Jun 14 |

I just watched Donovan Livingston's Harvard commencement address. It's truly stunning.

If you haven't seen it, it's worth watching, thrice over.

You can also read the full text online here too.

He spoke to the deepest part of my heart and soul, where it comes to writing, to education, to believing in ourselves and in our children and in our capacity for greatness.

I loved this:

I was in the 7th grade, when Ms. Parker told me,
“Donovan, we can put your excess energy to good use!”
And she introduced me to the sound of my own voice.
She gave me a stage. A platform.
She told me that our stories are ladders
That make it easier for us to touch the stars.

Write your stories.

 

Photo by Greg Rakozy, used under the creative commons license.

Share Your Thoughts…

4 Comments

  1. Mary

    Jenna, I could listen to that over and over. Thrice may not be enough! Thank you for sharing it.

    Reply
    • Jenna

      I’m so glad you liked it, Mary!

      Reply
  2. Tanya

    That’s funny, I was going to write almost exactly what Mary wrote. :-)
    I’ve listened to it twice so far and will listen to it again and again because it’s good on so many levels. It makes me breathe deeper and sigh with relief that there are people like this in the world. It really feeds my hope and optimism. Amidst all the tragedies and unrest, some really good stuff is happening.
    Thanks so much, Jenna, for sharing that!

    Reply
    • Jenna

      YES, you are so right, Tanya. It’s wonderful to be reminded of possibility, light, hope, optimism. Thank you for saying so.

      Reply

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