change your verbs, change the landscape of your life.

May 7, 2012 in General

I was deeply honored to wear a Harry Potter robe on Saturday morning and march onto the gorgeous lawn of Guilford College to give the commencement address 30 years after I received my own diploma from there.

Here are some photos from that special day, some 3x3x365 posts about it, and a link to my remarks, “The Geography of Verbs,” (excluding my preliminary remarks offering advice to any menopausal women in the audience who might be considering wearing a heavy robe and hood-thing to give a commencement speech in the sun, and my dedication of my remarks to my physics professor at Guilford, Sheridan Simon, dead far too young). It was a day of full circles.

Thank you for the honor, Guilford.

Emma was there!

This man, Bill Rogers, presented me with my diploma at Guilford College 30 years ago when he was president of the college!

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

14 comments to " change your verbs, change the landscape of your life. "

  • Reply
    Jenn Forgie
    May 7, 2012 AT 11:59AM

    What a beautiful speech, Patti. I am so thankful you made it accessible to those of us who were not in attendance. You continue to inspire me with your writing and values and I am deeply grateful for that. Lucky the ones to be loved by you and to learn from and through you.

    Jenn

  • Reply
    Sabrina Currie
    May 7, 2012 AT 11:59AM

    Patti,

    I just read your commencement speech this morning and it rocked my world. I am currently in a situation where everything has changed. I went to college and earned a BS degree in Sociology and have spent the last four years working in law enforcement / corrections. It became clear to me some time ago that I was not living according to my own desires. I was trying to prove a point to a father I haven’t spoken to in 15 years and to all the men in my life who have doubted my strength. And I was literally killing myself. So I quit my job. My last day was Friday. I have no plan as of today. But I have this deep sense of peace about the decision I made. Reading your speech this morning gave me so much comfort and so much hope. Thank you. Bless you. I simply cannot wait to read your books!

    Much Love,
    Sabrina

  • Reply
    Penny A
    May 7, 2012 AT 12:06PM

    Brava!  Your address (as do most things you write) has brought forth welling of tears — simple wisdom, simple beauties, simple truths — nearly always easier said than done, but OH, so easy once one begins the DOING.  Again, Patti Digh, I thank you for all the DOING you do!  (((hugs!)))

  • Reply
    Megan Everett
    May 7, 2012 AT 12:14PM

    Wish I could have been there! — Love the “crown” of daylight on top of your head in the first photo. Truly regal  ;-)

  • Reply
    Jennifer Rinehart
    May 7, 2012 AT 3:09PM

    Yes. That is all.

  • Reply
    mj
    May 7, 2012 AT 7:56PM

    Thank you for sharing your wisdom with your readers.  Oh, how I needed your commencement message today.  Fabulous! 

  • Reply
    OceanPrincess
    May 8, 2012 AT 6:15PM

    Truly, one of the best commencement speeches.  Ever.   I hope those graduates know how incredibly blessed they were to have you as their speaker.  You continue to amaze and inspire me, Patti.  Thank you.

  • Reply
    drcyndibriggs
    May 8, 2012 AT 8:39PM

    How much do I love that little school? And Bill and Bev? I’m so glad you were there (and it was great to see you again for a minute!) – 

  • Reply
    tkimberlie
    May 9, 2012 AT 10:48AM

    Patti, the joy captured on your face is beyond words…. You’re lighting up my room on this rainy, cool day in New England.  Much love!

  • Reply
    MyPeaceOfFood
    May 11, 2012 AT 7:44PM

    Beautiful speech…to make anyone, at any stage of life, feel again the openness of possibility that comes on graduation day. Even if you never felt it before.

    Something made me read this today, when I’ve been way behind reading my favorite blogs. There is no such thing as a coincidence. You’ve given me that free summer-day feeling, like I can accomplish and conquer anything. That combined with a magnificent conversation I had with a coworker has just created another step on my path.

  • Reply
    Libby James
    May 17, 2012 AT 7:35PM

    I’m so grateful to you for sharing this speech. One of the difficult things about working with inmates is seeing them want so badly to change and being fearful as they take that huge step back to “the outside.”–not unlike graduation. Last week we talked about the importance of verbs in their writing, so your words are a perfect fit. I will adapt them a little and share next week. Thank you, my lesson planner!
    Libby james

  • Reply
    Candice
    May 17, 2012 AT 7:41PM

    The commencement address brought tears to my eyes, Patti. Thank you for sharing this with the graduating class of 2012 at Guilford…and sharing with us. You are a gift.

  • Reply
    Patricia
    June 19, 2012 AT 8:05AM

    You take my breath away

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