During the MHS baccalaureate ceremony, Diana Gardner emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude based on Philippians 4:8, stating that 40% of our happiness can be influenced by our daily thoughts and actions. She encouraged graduates to engage in intentional activities, appreciate the present, and practice gratitude to enhance their well-being. Gardner concluded by urging the class of 2014 to choose joy and remember to savor life’s moments.

1. MHS
Baccalaureate
Ceremony
Diana Gardner
June 5, 2014

4. Today’s Talk
Bible Verse
Lessons Learned

5. Today’s Talk
Philippians 4:8
“ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever
is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think
about such things.”

6. In Other Words…

7. Dwell on the Positive
And this will bring you JOY.

8. Why ? Research SAYS
By studying the personalities of identical twins
they've found that about
 50 percent of our happiness -- or unhappiness -- can
be traced to our genes.
 40 percent we can control with our daily thoughts
and actions
 10 percent is related to our life circumstances, such
as where we live, how much money we have, our
marital status, or looks

9. Think About That!
40 percent of our happiness "is left for the
intentional activities that we can choose to
engage in -- the things that we do and think
every day of our lives.”


10. Back to the Bible Philippians 4:8
“ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever
is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think
about such things.”
You can TAKE ACTION to change the
way you feel, regardless of your life
circumstances.

11. HOW do we Do This? What ARE
those Intentional Activities?
Guess what’s written in the notes
you took four years ago?
Some Words to Live By…

12. The Last Lecture (Oprah)

13. The Last Lecture Notes

14. Decide if you’re Tigger or Eeyore

15. ***HAVE FUN!!! Decide early on if
you are enthusiastic, energetic,
curious, optimistic and have fun.
Never underestimate the importance of
fun. Choose to have fun. Have fun while
learning something hard. Randy says, “I
don’t know how to not have fun. I’m dying
soon and I’m choosing to have fun today,
tomorrow, and every other day I have left.”

16. @1000awesome

17. Whatever is TRUE: Attitude
By dwelling on what he called “awesome things” he put
himself in a better mood. Sometimes it's easy to forget the
things that make us smile. Sometimes it's tempting to feel the
world is falling apart. But awesome things are all around us:
• Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row on the Bypass
• Breadstick Tuesday (well, it used to be that way)
• Waking up and realizing it's Saturday
• Being the first table called up to the dinner buffet at a
wedding
• When the cashier opens a new lane at the grocery store
@1000awesome

18. Whatever is TRUE: Attitude
Having a great attitude is a choice, in spite
of a bad day or situation, it’s a choice to
have faith that “this too shall pass.”
THERE ARE TIMES… Life is HARD.

19. You can’t change the cards
that are dealt, just the way you
play the hand.

20. Whatever is Noble, Right…
TIME - Are you spending your time on the
right things?
Randy said, “The key question to keep asking
is, Are you spending your time on the right
things? Because time is all you have.”

21. Whatever is Noble, Right…
Put time into people. Put the phones down. If
you’re watching TV with your family or friends, put
the phones down - be engaged with THAT moment.
At the graduation parties - don’t be sitting around
playing candy crush - that’s not what you’ll
remember.
Stay connected with people. That takes time and
effort but technology makes that more possible. Your
parents need to hear from you. They are probably
paying for your phones. Pick up when they call.

22. Research Fact: Beware of Social Media
ABC news just reported
 “Everyday Facebook use leads to declines in
subjective well-being, both how happy you
feel moment to moment and how satisfied
you feel with your life," says Ethan Kross, an
assistant professor of psychology at the
University of Michigan.
 Studies show that higher rates of Facebook
lead to an overall decline in happiness
amongst young adults.

23. Whatever is Noble, Right…
AWARENESS. This includes being in the moment.
Giving full attention to whatever is happening.
Start noticing those things - those 1000
awesome thing.
That moment coming up this Sunday when you are
told to lift your tassel…Savor it.
*Treasure the moments you are about to have with
friends and family who want to celebrate you.

24. Never Lose the Child-like Wonder

25. Practice Gratitude
***Research shows if you actually list
one thing you are grateful for every
night for three weeks, the chemistry of
your brain literally changes to a
‘happier’ state equivalent to taking an
antidepressant.

27. Show Gratitude
 The “Thank You” Note – You’ll have plenty of
opportunities coming up to practice showing
gratitude. Instead of thinking of the thank you’s
as a chore, be thankful you have an occasion to
write one.
 Think about the people in your life who love
and support you. Count them as blessings.
Thank them for what they’ve meant in your
life.
Whatever is right…

28. Whatever is Noble, Right…
AUTHENTICY. Live with Integrity.
-Tell the truth
-Do the RIGHT thing - it will help you
sleep at night.
-Apologize (A good apology has 3 parts)
• I’m sorry,
• It was my fault
• How do I make it right - (most skip that part)

29. Whatever is admirable-
if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy-
think about such things.”

30. Brick walls are there for a
reason: they let us prove how
badly we want things.

31. Don’t complain; just work harder.

32. Other Notes
 Be good at something: it makes you
valuable
 Work hard … Be prepared: “luck” is
where preparation meets opportunity
 Find the best in everybody; no matter
how you have to wait for them to show it

33. Other Notes
 Loyalty is a two-way street
 Ladies: When it comes to men
who are romantically interested
in you. Completely ignore
everything they say and pay
attention to everything they do.

34. Other Notes
 When you don’t get what you
want, you learn from that
experience.
 Always Help Others
 Get a feedback loop; then listen to
it.

35. My Own Little Gems
Be the bigger person (that’s hard
sometimes)

36. My Own Little Gems
 Be the Light – We Have Enough Darkness
 Trust God. Do Your Best to Seek his Plan
for Your Life.
 Learn to be a Giver, rather than a Taker
 It’s not enough to be Smart.
 Have Initiative – Be a self starter and
 Follow through! Do what you say you are
going to do.

37. My Own Little Gems
 Sleep on it (before you send that letter) –
the bigger person probably wouldn’t send
the letter.
 It’s not enough to be Smart.
 Never stop Learning! Follow us on
Twitter @giantslibrary

38. You are Beginning a New Journey.

39. You are Beginning a New Journey.
"It's not about how to achieve
your dreams. It's about how to
lead your life. If you lead your
life the right way, the karma will
take care of itself. The dreams
will come to you." Randy
Pausch

40. One More Look
Philippians 4:8
“ Finally, brothers, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable- if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy-
think about such things.”

41. A negative mind will never give
you a positive life.

42. The Good News is…
You are already well on your
way to doing those things…
or you wouldn’t be here
tonight.

43. …Think about Such Things
Philippians 4:8
“ Finally, brothers, WHATEVER is true, WHATEVER is noble,
WHATEVER I s right, WHATEVER is pure, WHATEVER is lovely,
WHATEVER is admirable-
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”
To Help You Do This
See Bookmark

44. This weekend…
 Don’t just go through the motions.
 Stop and think to yourself, I want to
remember THIS moment. And this
one…and this one…
 Choose to find the Joy
 And whenever you are tempted to
say ‘Whatever,’
Think of this Verse
Congratulations Class of 2014!