I’ve been to many many graduations. High school graduations for myself, my siblings, my sister-in-law; college graduations for myself, my wife, my sister-in-law, friends. And at each commencement I hear at least three speakers give advice about how to live life to the fullest. A quick calculations shows it to be roughly 25 speeches.

At most graduations, everyone is so excited about graduating that the speakers are just hurdles that must be endured. The content is dry and ethereal, not relevant to the diploma sitting a few few away on a table, and the party that is only a few hours away.

Out of those 25 to 30 speeches, only one managed to find its way into my brain, where it lodged itself. I graduated from college in May 1998, and one of the commencement speakers was Susan Collins, a Republican senator from Maine. She talked about her travels through life, about the ups and downs of public office, about perseverance. And the phrase she used to emphasize this point was, “Beware the Naysayers”. There are people out there who will tell you that it isn’t possible, that your dreams are unattainable, that fighting the good fight is a waste of time. The naysayers have given up because the fight has been too difficult for them, and sometimes they enjoy bringing other people down with them.

I’ve had naysayers in my life, many of them. And everytime I feel frustrated of defeated, I think of that phrase. To me, it represents diligence, tenacity, perserverance, and courage in the face of adversity. I’ve often thought that if I were ever to give a speech, I would use the same title. And if I am only able to pass on one nugget of wisdom to the E-man, it would be to beware the naysayers.