Insight: It may not be easy but it is worth it by Lorraine Glowczak

We are at it again as we celebrate the Windham High graduates with pomp and circumstance.

As it is with every year, proud parents ask how time could have gone so quickly. Younger siblings may be excited that they get the bedroom to themselves this fall; and a community of supporters is ready to cheer on the new high school graduates as they embark on new adventures into new territories.

On Sunday, June 11 Windham High School will be sending off 196 innovative, creative and clever students. And we, as a community, could not be more delighted to have this group of Windham and Raymond individuals explore the world.

Wanting to contribute to their success, many of us offer simple pieces of advice to the graduates, with the hope it may make their way in life a little easier. (See a few of those suggestions in this week’s “On the Spot” question.)

But the fact is – it is not always easy.

Following your heart takes courage; reaching for the stars is an uphill climb; and the things that set your soul on fire can burn you from time to time. And, that’s not considering all the unexpected life events that will appear as detours on the way to your dreams.

As we’ve often been told, or have discovered, easy has never been promised to us. But if we can hang in there during those most heart-wrenching times, it can be worth it all. It’s at this point that we are all on our own, to make the choice that it all - our moments of passions, joy and dedication to the people we love and projects that are dear to our hearts - is, in fact, worth those moments of hardship.

No amount of proverbial advice can help an individual in making this choice - that is driven by our own individual inner power.

But the best guidance I have found regarding this, was given to the graduating class of 2007 at Montclair State University by Whoopi Goldberg. She told them, “If you are willing to stand for what you believe in - you won’t need advice from me, because you will be able to handle whatever comes your way.” 

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2017!