WORDS OF WISDOM FROM CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR

This past weekend has been a whirlwind of events.  Scratch that -- it's been a marathon.  In the past four days I have had the pleasure of celebrating family and friends through attending graduation ceremonies and dinners, bachelorette parties and bridal showers, and Mother's Day brunches and barbeques.  As is typical with me, I participated in all of the fun events and then during my drives along the 405/110/10/210/605/5/73 freeways -- yes, I am the living version of an SNL skit -- I ruminated on all of the life lessons and inspiration to be derived from the company that surrounded me. 

Looking back on it all, the most powerful event actually occurred in the very beginning of the weekend at the Commencement Ceremony for the University of Southern California.  The key note address was given by Christiane Amanpour and she managed to captivate  and inspire the entire crowd of 40,000 with her story.  Instead of re-capping for your her thirty minute speech, I am simply going to list out the most impactful takeaways and hope that they make you smile, open your eyes, and move you to stand a little straighter as you walk through the world tomorrow.   

1. Everything happens for a reason, including failures.  Christiane failed her medical board exams and had to pick a new career after her dreams of being a doctor were shattered.
2. Work hard and don't feel entitled.  You might need to fetch coffee or dry cleaning when first starting out, but darn it, be the best assistant on the job.  Christiane began her career as an intern with a young broadcasting station dubbed "Chicken Noodle News" by the industry.  Today we call that station CNN.
3. Strive for success, but know that it doesn't happen overnight.  It takes time and diligence.  Christiane has been in the business for over twenty years.
4. You will need to work your way up a corporate ladder -- do your best to enjoy every rung because the journey is what will define you. 
5. Once you get to the top, do not become a power hungry dictator and egocentric.  Instead, look back at your journey of climbing the ladder and respect those now walking a similar path while working for you.

One last note that I cannot recall if it was part of Christiane's concluding remarks or simply a theme from the many speakers throughout the day:  Pay it Forward.  The student speaker prior to Christiane taking the stage told the crowd that those with a Bachelor's Degree are among the top 7% of the most educated people in the world.  Opportunities will abound for those that work hard and life will move faster than we anticipate.  At some point, we are called to look back and acknowledge those that supported and granted us opportunity.  We need to pay it forward and offer that same support and opportunity to the generations behind us.