Letter to the Graduates of the Twitter Era

I am publishing here an article of Wilson Lee Flores from his Philippine Star column. These are good thoughts and have added my comments as well.

Dear Graduates:

Congratulations.  However, graduation is not your achievement; it marks a a new beginning in your exciting but not trouble-free journey.  Here are few suggestions, some of which this writer and part-time college teacher tells my students at La Consolacion College Manila:

1. Never stop studying, because life should be a never ending quest for  self-improvement.
2. Read often in order to enrich your mind, expand your thinking and elevate your language
3. Education is not only from books or college degrees, but from embracing new experiences, listen travel often, learn from all people and be open to positive influences from our exciting world. (This is why I love to travel :) )
4.  Twitter, Facebook and Youtube are fun and can be empowering, but those are not all that life and our world has to offer. Play real sports and plant real flowers—not just the ones in online games. 
5.  Good manners and correct conduct in the real world should also be our guide on twitter and the internet, perhaps more so because online mistakes are often immortalized and can spread virally!
6. In this era of fast-paced tweets, instant messaging, instant coffee instant stars from reality show, let us not forget the virtue of patience and the importance of the long-term
7. In this age of exhilarating and also bewilderingly vast range of mass media and social media choices, do not lose sight of the power of focus and the importance of concentration.
8. Do not be afraid or too shy to ask questions—often it can save you lots of trouble
9. When you want or seek something, ask, or else the answer shall always remain “NO.”
10. Silence sometimes can express more than words can say. Silence is often good for the soul.
11. Do not be afraid to take risks, for the worst risk in life is not ever taking any risk. (This is part of learning process in life)
12. Do not be afraid to lose.  There is nothing shameful in loss, but the worst is never trying.
13. Do not let your youth or inexperience impede your dreams or limit what you can do.
14. Money is not the most valuable resource we all have, it is time. Avoid frivolous pursuits and vices; make the most of your time.
15. Instead of wanting to change the world, let us first conquer the self with discipline. (Yes, change starts with YOU and when you have conquered yourself you set a good example to the world for others to follow)
16. Crisis is like fire, it can either destroy or strengthen us, depending on one’s character and attitude, for the same fire that melts butter can also strengthen steel.
17. Crisis not only brings us opportunity, according to ancient Chinese wisdom; it can often also help purify, cleanse and purge our lives!
18. Forgive others, but do not forget their names.  Seriously, forgive: life is too short to waste on ill feelings. (Forgiving is easy but forgetting the deed is not ;) )
19. Do not take revenge, just remember that the best revenge is success. (But don't let it define your success)
20. Justin Bieber is correct in his song "Never Say Never," for we should never ever give up!
21. Remember the last Batman movie with Joker asking " why so serious?" Let us learn to laugh often and even at laugh at ourselves. Be of good cheer! Smile always! (The best accessory you can wear daily is your smile. The bible says a cheerful heart doeth good like a medicine.  Think Happiness all the time)
22. Perseverance is often more important than talent or intelligence in the quest for success.
23. There is no substitute for hard work, but we should not only work hard, we should work smart too!
24. Do not be afraid to dream big, it is more exciting and empowering.
25. List down your dreams and target deadlines, or else those will remain not dreams but fantasies. ( I created a vision board yearly of what I want to accomplish in life and it motivates me to work hard and achieve my dreams. I look at my vision board as often as i want to motivate me)