On Thursday, my mom dropped off a box of some of my old school projects, drawings, certificates, and awards for me to look through. She was cleaning out, but didn’t have the heart to get rid of these things so passed them on to me to do as I pleased with them. It’s been both interesting and cute to see some of my first drawings and stories I wrote in kindergarten, elementary and middle school. There were also some things from high school and the private creative industry-focused college, FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising), I went to after where I received my AA.

One of the things that stood out was a speech submission I sent in to be considered for valedictorian to give at the graduation ceremony that took place at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.

They invited the students who had 4.0 GPA’s to send in a speech for review. They really only chose students who not only had the GPA, but also had a full time job AND did extracurricular volunteering and activities. Makes sense – to have the all-around everything going. I only had the grades and did an internship, but because I focused on my studies and not having a job, it didn’t really put me in the forefront of consideration. I was, however, chosen as one of two people that were invited on stage to introduce and hand out awards to faculty. So I did accept that – my biggest public speaking feat I somehow embraced, well before I’d even worked on that fear.

I graduated at 19 because I went to FIDM right away without taking time off and also did the two year course there straight through without any breaks. This had me finishing in a year and a half instead. The actual graduation ceremony didn’t take place until the official summer graduation schedule, so I waited six months for that and walked the ceremony at 20.

I found the speech I wrote at 19 in the box my mom dropped off. It was done on a typewriter, as I did not at the time have a computer – not for many many years after that, in fact. I used a typewriter all through high school and after. I used to type on my bed where I did all of my homework, papers, and studying. A true Pisces I am.

It’s not the greatest thing I’ve ever written, but what hit me the most about it is that it could very well have been written by me now, at nearly 47. There isn’t much in the way of difference where my voice and message are concerned. And, there are so many echoes of the same exact expressions and thoughts I’ve carried over the years.

To me, like everything else I found in the box from my past, it all spoke to my essence. I believe that the things we did naturally and expressed when we were children, speak to the heart and soul of who we are. It’s interesting to see that although I’ve grown and evolved a lot, still so much hasn’t changed – this is the core of who I am.

I thought I’d share the speech so you can see what I mean, but also because it could very well be a share for right here and now. A perfect Monday Musings I thought.

Visionary Realists

Good morning faculty, guests, parents, and fellow 1993 graduates. Every moment of life is a new beginning point as we move from the old. As graduates, we embark on a new beginning right here and right now. The foundation that we have established, here at FIDM, has served as the key that will not unlock the door to the realities our dreams have built.

One of the world’s most talented motion picture directors, Federico Fellini, once said that “Visionaries are the only true realists.” Fellini is noted for developing his story as his film is being made. His vision helps him to create the reality of each of his works.

Every graduating student is writing his or her own storyline, creating their own style, as if painting a canvas in vibrant colors, with each color representing every unique quality and expression that shapes their lives. There are many Fellinis, Valentinos, Mary McFaddens, and Cyril Magnins in the making.

Each and every one of us holds within, all the ingredients for success. We need only to allow the success formula to flow through us and manifest in our lives. The pathway is a series of stepping stones to ever greater successes. It does not matter what field you want to operate in. The principles are the same. We need to plant the “seeds” of success today, and these seeds will then grow into an abundant harvest tomorrow.

Like the old saying goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. This is so true. Many people feel they must be performance-perfect the first time around. Let me remind you that the purpose of the preparation, or rehearsal, so to speak, is to learn. Rehearsal is a time to make mistakes and to try new ways. Only by practicing over and over can we learn the new. And that is what our time spent here at FIDM has been. A period of preparation. A learning experience that has helped to plant the seed that will further bloom as we move into our careers. Even then, every day will be a learning experience. When you watch an accomplished professional, in any field, you are looking at innumerable hours of practice. But let that not be a set-back or deterrent in any way. Hold onto your dreams and visions with devotion, compassion, and above all, patience. Time will undoubtedly transform those visions into a reality.

All of us as graduating students approach a new and changing world unlike anything experienced before. We stand on the threshold of a dawning new century. If we apply our ability to look forward to all the potentials of all the tomorrows to come, our visionary spirit will ignite the creation of our true reality. This means that each of us, regardless of what roads we take or career vehicles we choose, are creating our true reality with each new day.

As we strive to be accomplished individuals, we must nurture a respect for forward thinking and the recognition that vision is the catalyst to great solutions. And we, as a generation entering a new centenary age, face many new challenges that will require the vision to create realistic leadership.

Our creative educational foundation established at FIDM prepares us well for the thinking we must possess in our new and changing world. And after all, creativity is the companion of vision. So as each of us ventures forward with our emerging skills and talents, we, the graduates of FIDM, design tomorrow’s reality.

As mentioned, the box contained old drawings alongside everything else. I shared this already on Instagram and Facebook, but thought to add it along with the speech.

This is a large drawing I did in art class in 6th grade. It got the teacher’s attention and at parent’s night she was anxious to express her thoughts to them. What’s fun to me is to see that all I wanted to draw and write about was animals. I not only found a lot of animal drawings and remember how much time I spent drawing animals, but I also found poems, creative stories, and reports on animals. Since I was a little girl, animals are all I adored and wanted to be around.

Some things never change.

Neither does my enjoyment for art, creative writing, and sharing things to hopefully inspire others to be the best they can be. 

Also interesting is the synchronicity of so many raccoons that have been showing up, as mentioned in previous blog posts and now this memorable, large drawing of one done by me as a child.

I hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane, where the essence was, is, and never waned.

I believe if we were to look at the things that came naturally to us and that we were drawn to as children, we would discover the core guiding forces in our life of joy to bring through, if in fact we’re not.