Be Memorable

Travis and his mom, Juju

Those of us here in the United States celebrated Mother’s Day this past weekend, and I want to send my belated well-wishes to all the moms out there.

It’s also “Graduation Season,” as another school year comes to a close. For the first time ever, I’ve been asked to give the commencement address at the high school my kids have attended. This is the same school where I lived and worked many years ago, at a time when I felt stuck in life and unsure of what to do next. So, being asked to speak 13 years later is a tremendous honor.

The funny thing is, when I think back to my own high school or college graduation, I don’t remember either speaker. That’s not a knock on them, it’s more a reflection of where my attention was at the time. I’m sure they were great. I’m sure they shared wisdom. But honestly, it just wasn’t memorable to me in that moment.

As I write this on Mother’s Day, I can tell you one person who was memorable: Juju, my mom, who passed away a few years ago. We’ve all heard the expression, “We rarely remember what people say, but we always remember how they made us feel.” My mom wasn’t filled with inspiring stories, famous quotes, or moving speeches, but you always felt her love. No amount of time will ever dull the memory of her smile or the warmth of her presence.

She is memorable.

I still have a week or so before I give the commencement address, and sure, it would be great if I could make it memorable. But the reality is, whatever I say on graduation day will be less about delivering an inspiring story, and more about encouraging the graduates to focus on the people next to them. To keep leaning into those relationships even as the years and circumstances change. And as they head off to college, careers, and new adventures, to keep leaning into the new people next to them.

Because as the years change, and the locations change, and life changes, the one constant in all of it is always us.

Me.

You.

We go through life with infinite possibilities, but the greatest opportunity to make an impact is almost always with the person in front of you, beside you, or behind you.

Wherever you are, keep leaning into those people.

And I guarantee, no matter what you do or where you end up, you will absolutely be...

Memorable.

-Travis