Commencement Address by Jim Carrey, Maharishi University of Management, May 24th, 2014
Jim Carrey may be best known as a comedian, but his commencement address at the Maharishi University of Management on May 24th 2014 provides much to think about.
Yes, there are some laughs along the way. But it was lines like the following that I found moving.
“Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much. You can spend your whole life imagining ghosts, worrying about your pathway to the future, but all there will ever be is what’s happening here, and the decisions we make in this moment, which are based in either love or fear.”
After sharing that he discovered his purpose was to free people from concern, he says, “the effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is. Everything you gain in life will rot and fall apart, and all that will be left of you is what was in your heart.”
Here are a few more highlights from the speech:
“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.”
I’ve often said that I wished people could realize all their dreams of wealth and fame so they could see that it’s not where you’ll find your sense of completion. No matter what you gain, ego will not let you rest. It will tell you that you cannot stop until you’ve left an indelible mark on the earth, until you’ve achieved immortality. How tricky is the ego that it would tempt us with the promise of something we already possess.”
“Your job is not to figure out how it’s going to happen for you, but to open the door in your head and when the doors open in real life, just walk through it. Don’t worry if you miss your cue. There will always be another door opening. They keep opening. You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world and after you walk through those doors today, you will only ever have two choices: love or fear. Choose love, and don’t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart.”
You can find the full speech and transcript here. For a video of the highlights, see here. I recommend watching the full version.
This week I also heard a song by musician Bradley Joseph. Here is “Feel” to inspire you to greet life with arms wide open this day, and every day.
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