A few years ago, on my way toward a new phase in my career, I drove through the Smoky Hills of Kansas and watched with wonder as they melted into the wide-open spaces of the High Plains. The vistas seemed endless in every direction; bordered only by the Technicolor horizon.

A feeling of anticipation and excitement washed over me. A timeless feeling; one that connected me with the past and the future. The feeling of your first steps into unknown territory.

I immediately knew I had stepped onto a new frontier of my life. I had known frontiers before. They were boundaries that separated me from my family and everything I had ever known. But this – this was different. This frontier was not another obstacle. This frontier was an inviting entrance. It was an invitation to begin a new journey.

Graduating college is an exciting time. It symbolizes the culmination of years of study, hard work, and commitment. It also signifies the beginning of the next chapter in your life — a new frontier where you will encounter new challenges and opportunities. You get to show what you have learned – your ability to think clearly, creatively, and critically; to judge wisely; to act responsibly.

As I think about what words I can share with college graduates, I think of some things I said to my own children, some years ago.

Get over your selfie
According to Google, there are over 93 million selfies taken every day. If you find that figure astounding, consider Goggle also says we check our smart phones over one billion times a day.

Now, selfies are fun and they are a great way to record memories or share important mileposts in our lives with our friends, but don’t let that selfie, that image of who you think you are today, limit in any way the person you can become. Open your minds. Embrace knowledge. Embrace new adventures.

Improve yourself and expand your horizons. Become an active part of your new home. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Learn all you can from the people around you. Make one better decision every day – about learning, eating, sleeping, alcohol, relationships, about your faith – about every aspect of your life.

Be Courageous
Be bold in your actions. Fully inhabit the space before you. Fill it up — broadly and deeply with every expression of the best of humanity. Don’t live a life that’s too small for you. Live large, be courageous, be compassionate, BE A LEADER! To be a leader, you must be visible. To make a difference, you must be seen. To be seen - to have the world find you – you must give of yourself. This is not an easy thing. If you can be seen, you can be touched. You can be hurt.

Create a better world for those who follow. Make service to others part of your life. Contribute to the well-being of your school, your job and your community. Be there for your classmates and co-workers. Stand up for what is right. Develop and practice the skills that will make you outstanding leaders in the world.

Learn to make a plan, but make it in pencil
Some of you may think you already know what you want to do with the rest of your life. For others, it may not seem as clear. Either way, life is not written in pen; rather, it is written in pencil. Planning ahead, anticipating what is yet to come, and being able to adapt to change will characterize successful people in the new global economy. Therefore, be open to new ideas, new experiences, and new directions. Listen to your heart. Follow your dreams.

Find your balance
Feed your mind and your spirit. Find the right balance between eating, study, work, play, rest, and service. Make time to explore the world – study or travel abroad, participate in the arts, play intramurals, go to the football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, track and field or whatever sort of athletic game is occurring during the week.

Enjoy learning. Enjoy life. Never stop. Remember to use your intellect to improve the human condition. Remember to pass forward all the acts of kindness you have received throughout your years. Remember your roots and your family.

In closing, I would like to share with you a quote from leadership gurus Kouzes and Posner that has inspired me throughout much of my life. While it was written close to three decades ago, its content is very salient today:

"Beyond the horizon of time is a changed world, very different from today’s world. Some people see beyond that horizon and into the future. They believe that dreams can become reality. They open our eyes and lift our spirits. They build trust and strengthen our relationships. They stand firm against the winds of resistance and give us the courage to continue the quest. We call these people leaders…"