College of Nursing faculty member Judy Westphal offered the following remarks at UW Oshkosh’s midyear commencement ceremony on Dec. 19 at Kolf Sports Center:
“Chancellor Leavitt, Provost Earns, colleagues, candidates for graduation, family and friends, I am honored to be part of the 51st midyear commencement ceremony at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
“Life is a journey. Whether you are just starting your career or nearing the end of your chosen profession, at this moment our journeys intersect and bring us to this place and time. For most of us one day runs into another as we focus on work, school, chores and activities of daily living. Occasionally we need to stop and reflect on where we have been and where we are going. I invite you to take a few minutes to reflect on your journey. We have all heard the phrases ‘stop and smell the roses,’ ‘savor the moment,’ ‘hit the pause button’ or ‘time stood still’ and often we pay little attention to them. A graduation celebration is a perfect occasion to explore some of these phrases and might be one of those moments to savor. Think back to an event in your life when you enjoyed the moment. Did time stand still for you? I have experienced this and I want to share with you the first time it happened for me.
“I grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and spent a fair amount of time working in the barn. Older barns are large tall buildings with two levels. The building supports a ground floor and an upper level, or hay loft. One of my chores as a young girl was to go into the hay loft and throw down hay to feed the cows. The hay loft had a large door which was used to get the bales of hay and straw into the loft. One summer evening I went to the door in the hayloft, sat on the floor and let my legs dangle over the side of the building. I watched a glorious sunset over rich farm fields and it felt as if time stood still. If I close my eyes I am back in that hay loft and I can see that sunset. I don’t know what prompted me to sit down and take in the sunset, but I enjoyed that moment and have continued to stop and savor sights, sounds, smells and events over the years.
“You may feel that you appropriately take time to appreciate unique moments. Let’s explore that assumption. Graduates, when you stop and reflect on your experience as a student, did you enjoy the journey? What comes to mind? Is it tests, quizzes, assignments, papers and books to read? Were the last couple of years a blur? Does something stand out for you? What was most exciting? During the journey through school you met some new people, roommates, classmates and teachers. Did you make some new friends? Are you sitting next to your friends now? Hit the pause button, look to your right and left, be in the moment, acknowledge your friends or make a new friend.
“It is never too late to savor the moment. For the non-graduates in the audience, what stands out for you over the last few years? Are you thinking about work, deadlines, due dates, chores and responsibilities? Reflect on what was most enjoyable. Did you discover something new, exciting or unusual? Did you meet new people? Try some new foods? Did you enjoy a great meal, listen to beautiful music or appreciate a quiet summer night? Did you stop to smell the roses?
“These special moments can occur anywhere, at any time, yet they do not happen every day. What can we do to increase the chances of experiencing these events? I believe an open mind and curious nature help, along with a willingness to slow down to experience these moments.
“Graduates, our journeys are not endless. Take time to savor the moments. Hit the pause button and stop to smell the roses. Best wishes for a successful future.”