For the Class of 2009

This weekend I attended two graduations: one for the Southington High Class of 2009, go Knights, and another for my brother, congratulations Tyler.
This got me thinking about what advice I would give to high school graduates as they enter a new phase in their lives.
I ran a 5K last week, my first race. I am not a runner by nature. I trained with my wife, Rachel, in order to meet my goal: finishing the 3.1-mile race without walking.
During our training, Rachel told me our goal each day.
“There’s no way I can do that,” I responded.
Each time, I was able to complete the workouts. Eventually, I started believing I could do the next workout without any convincing.
I placed 128 out of 135 runners in the Summer Solstice 5K in West Hartford. I plan on running another 5K in July with my wife, members of her family and other friends. I hope to do better. I don’t plan on winning these races, I plan on finishing them.
This attitude is refreshing to me, probably because I didn’t always hold it. When I was younger I would assess a game or competition based on my likelihood of winning. If I didn’t perform well, I would devalue the game, calling it “stupid” or “only luck,” instead of improving my abilities.
I can remember a conversation I had with a high school friend after he showed me some of his artwork.
“I can’t draw,” I told him.
“I couldn’t either,” he replied.
He went on to tell me about taking lessons and practicing, because he enjoyed drawing and wanted to improve.
Looking back, it is odd how I rejected some activities because I was not naturally good at them, particularly music, drawing and some sports. Today, I play guitar and run. I won’t ever play like Hendrix or run like Usain Bolt, but I am rewarded by my ability to finish a song or complete a race.
Growing up, I never thought rehearsal and preparation would make up such a large part of life. I slowly realized that much of work, much of life, is preparation.
I think of actors looking natural in their roles on stage. They achieve the appearance of effortlessness through rehearsal, reading and memorizing their lines, and going through the motions in order to expect them.
Class of 2009, as you go through life, look ahead and prepare for what you want to come next.
— Zachary Janowski