Class mottos…

I’ve received a few high school graduation announcements in the last few weeks. I always think of how exciting this is for the young people who are getting ready to start a new phase of their life and move closer to independence.

Some of the announcements can be a bit humorous.

I remember that our graduating high school class had a class song, class colors and maybe a class motto — all of which we’ve probably forgotten. Well actually, for some reason I remember our class song was “Deep Purple,” a sappy love song that was popular that year. I don’t recall getting to vote on the music selection. I probably would have preferred a Beach Boys surf jam.

One announcement that showed up had the class motto included on the announcement. The motto was — wait for it — something penned by the performer Pitbull.

I guess I would have thought the class would have selected someone more inspirational for a class motto. A former president, successful entrepreneur, astronaut or philanthropist would have been my go to persons for inspirational words.

Nevertheless, this has inspired me to offer some of my own words of wisdom to graduating classes. Here are some of my completely original inspirational thoughts that I hope will show up on a high school graduation announcement some day:

“When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

“It ain’t over until the fat lady sings.”

“Save for a rainy day.”

“It is what it is.”

“If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and looks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.”

“Can’t we all just get along?”

And my personal favorite, inspired by my wife: “Be nice.”