Class of 2021, be brave!

Recent musings from a Facebook post...

Two years and some change ago I turned my tassel thinking my life was just beginning that I had the world at my feet and that loving people would be enough to get the job done and that my passion for writing would propel me into greatness…

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But I didn’t know then the challenges and the criticism and the thanklessness that comes with public service. I didn’t know that having a thick skin in the business came from some tough moments of growth and some mistakes, lots of mistakes along the way.

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And I didn’t know the joy of sharing someone’s story, their accomplishments, accolades and how those words printed out on a newspaper could mean so much to someone else. I didn’t know I would meet people and they would say “yeah I’ve read your stuff, I know your name, thank you.”

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But now I do. And it’s in those moments that the criticism doesn’t matter, and I’m reminded of the bigger purpose of what I’m doing. Though the stress is more than I anticipated when I studied for finals in college, somehow it’s still worth it.

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Because all I didn’t know before I walked across that stage has become clearer now. Journalism matters. I know because I see its impact and I live it everyday (so do you, you might not know it though).

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So, to the graduates, I don’t know your story or your profession, but I do know you got this. And I do know you will face pretty big challenges and make some big mistakes but even more you will learn and you will grow. And suddenly it’s all worth it.

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If I could go back knowing all I know now, I would still choose to write. And I would still tell God to lead me forward. Because though the path is not easy, the company here is pretty great and my GPS never fails.

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Class of 2021, you got this! Go be BRAVE #UNCP #UNCPAlumniNotes