Normally, I would have written you several letters by now. About this and that and about everything else. But these times are anything but normal. Still, I want you to know I am here for you, for whatever I can do to help you, from this remote location where I am right now.
Even though I have no idea what all I can or cannot do.
First, stay healthy and safe and do all the right things that are expected of all of us at this time and all that competent medical authorities (e.g. Dr. Anthony Fauci) tell us to do.
Next, do not lose heart at missing your graduating ceremonies. Life is full of ups and downs. That is the very nature of life. Understand full well that you are not just a ceremony, or a piece of paper handed to you in public.
You are way, way bigger than all that.
You are a human being, young, vigorous and healthy, and your whole life is in front of you as they say.
You went to the university for all these years; you worked hard, even if it was only in spurts; you completed the journey, even though at times precariously; and now, finally, you have your Education and your Knowledge and your Values to show for it.
No paper degree can be a substitute for those things: Education, Knowledge and Values.
Going through years of the Education Mill without acquiring all the Knowledge that should go along with that process is most precious time wasted, quite possibly the most precious part of your life.
And to be armed with Knowledge and Expertise without a solid foundation of Values to guide and direct that Knowledge, and those skills, is at best, a fairly risky business. Many thieves, burglars and sexual predators are also fairly knowledgeable in their respective fields. And they hone their skills well.
But their failure is at the level of Values. You can call it the Moral Front if you wish. Just revisit the 10 Commandments and you will have a fairly adequate framework of what it means to be a Moral Human Being on the face of this earth.
So, in the ultimate analysis as they say, that is who you are: You are your Education; your Knowledge; and your Values.
Work on those things even now if you have not been able to, for whatever reason, until now. For us Human Beings, you and me alike, it is never too late to catch up with our Basic Humanity.
And with our lost time in educating ourselves and equipping ourselves with the basic tools of Common Morality and Values.
I am proud of each and everyone of you. And I have every confidence you will shine at whatever you touch, provided of course you will apply yourself as we all should.
And in these difficult times, try and stay upbeat. And healthy and safe. And optimistic. Things are rough all around. But the storm will subside; the clouds will part; and the sun shall shine.
It always does.
Thinking of you and wishing you well.
Dr. Pasha
