Let The Journey Begin
A handful of events in life are so profound that they never fade from memory . . . like weddings and births; and, I think, graduations. It’s been “a while” since I graduated, as you can pretty well figure out from some of these pictures. But, I still remember the feeling of freedom I had on graduation day. I also remember waking up very late the next morning; eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. Reality struck me right between the eyes and said in a very loud voice, “Okay, Littleton, now you’ve got to actually DO something.” So, my newfound freedom was fleeting at best and came with some strings attached.
My Mother wanted me to be an accountant. I’m forever grateful that I was not focused enough at that time to pursue her dream for me. I would have been the worst and most miserable accountant the world has ever known since I had absolutely zero aptitude for accounting. My brain wasn’t wired that way. I never did figure out which side of an account the debits and credits go on, even though I devised an elaborate scheme in class. If I was facing front and center in the room, the credits would go on the window side of the room and the debits on the wall side . . . but then, as bad luck would have it, they moved my desk.
If you’re a soon-to-be graduate thinking the finish line is in sight, you might rearrange your thinking a bit and realize that you’ve made it to the “starting” gate. Even though it was a long and winding road for me to find my passion in life, I’m a firm believer in the fact that you should spend as much of your life as possible doing something you love. Hopefully, someone will even pay you to do it.
Most people know that I’m a big proponent of what I call “striving to be stellar.” In my mind, one of the things that makes people stellar is finishing things they start, a concept my parents tried very hard to pound into my head. So, graduation is a big deal. It signifies completing what you started; and it gives you the skills and credentials to go forth into the world and pursue your passion.
My passion in life for the last 30 years or so has given me the opportunity to design and make gifts for a long succession of grads. And, we’re starting to hear stories about Col. Littleton products going to a second generation of grads. Every year we receive pictures of graduates with their new leather journals, briefcases, portfolios and luggage. It makes us happy to see parents of graduates carrying on the Col. Littleton tradition.
If you’re a relative or friend of a 2017 graduate and want to start or carry on the Col. Littleton tradition, here are a few of my favorite graduation day picks.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” – Thomas Jefferson
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle
“Figure out how to do more than you get paid for, and you’ll stand out in the crowd.” – Colonel Littleton
