In this episode of Commencement: Speeches for the Class of 2020, Grammy-award winning singer Mary J. Blige offers words of inspiration to graduates, empowering them to use this moment of stillness to sharpen their minds, their talents, and their swords.
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Episode Transcript
Commencement Speeches for the Class of twenty is a production
of I Heart Radio. Class of Parents, Faculty, rising graduates,
Welcome to commencement. You made it. This year is a
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little different, a difficult time to graduate because the traditional
graduation day has been put on hold. So we're bringing
it to you wherever you are, because this is still
your day, your moment. And now put your hands together.
It's time to be inspired. This year's commencement speaker the
one and only Mary J. Blige. Yea. In this noisy
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world as we know it, fell asleep, restless eyes Blincoln.
Not many people on the street. People are dropping like flies.
This is deep, the end of the world system as
we know it. Things have changed, things are strange, mind blowing.
It's definitely showing a renewing of the time, a sign
that we have to be still for a little while,
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and a trial so great. We can't let our circumstances
dictate who and what we are. These hard and uncomfortable
times do not define our identity. The only thing a
trial like this can show us is what we're made of,
and you are everything, amazing and phenomenal. It's not about
a perfect performance. Put us sincere, heart, drive, determination, and strength.
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This pandemic has put us in the realest place we've
ever been in our lives. It has made us face
things we never thought we'd ever have to face. It
has made us see that we have no control over anything.
It has ended lives, families, marriages, and businesses. But at
the same time time, the quality of life is being restored.
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The earth is getting to break it needed. Families have
been brought back together. Patience is being developed. Entrepreneurship and
financial freedom is fresh and heavy on so many minds.
Self love is growing deep inside of us. If in
God we trust, our priorities are being set straight, our
characters being developed. We're starting to understand that we really
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didn't need everything we wanted. Old things and always must die.
New life will arrive from inside of us again. If
in God we trust through this trial, true kings and
queens will arise. Humility is being born inside the cocky
godly behavior is being squeezed from our bodies. People are
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being forced into the light and a new dimension. We
had to be reminded that no one is innocent. Too
much dark energy. This ain't a new fight, a spiritual war.
That's what they're saying, So get your head together if
you plan on staying in on planet Earth. I think
first before you speak negativity. Karma is real. Look at
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our reality. This delay in life is to get us refocused,
a restart button and a second chance. This setback is
a setup for a speedy and aggressive comeback. But we
had to slow down to receive this amazing gift and
blessing called more time. Time was flying, but not anymore.
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This is what was needed to prepare us for the future.
This is prayers answered. But now we learned the hard
way that we all are equal. Living in the middle
of this movie called the Plague, I pray there's not
a sequel. We're all in this together and we're going
to get through this stormy weather. No money or status
can make things better or worse. He without sin cast
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that stone first. We all should appreciate our lives today,
and we really need to listen to the words that
Bonald said, one love, one life. When there's one need
in the night, we have the right to be healed,
So don't give up the fight. Prayer, love and wisdom
will send that plague head first back to his grave,
back to Hell where it belongs. Time for us to
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sing a new love song about the love for our creator,
praising the most high, love for each other, love for
our brother, love for our neighbor. This is a scary
time for all of us, but if we don't confront
the things that scare us the most, we won't ever
earn our wings to fly so gracefully like an eagle
through the sky as iron, sharp as iron. Use this delay,
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this moment of stillness to sharpen your mind, your talent,
your swords. Stay focused. When the time comes, go out
there and get what's yours. Congratulations to the class of
When we overcome this, may the rest of be a
blessing to us all. M M. You can find a
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collection of incredible commencement addresses from all your favorite speakers
at the Commencement Podcast on I Heart Radio or wherever
you listen to podcasts.
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