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November 2012
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I have been asked to say a few words to the graduating class and for this I have chosen an inspirational subject: Make your character your personal brand. I could indeed speak to you of lessons learnt in my life as it may show a way on how to achieve success in some of your lives. I can first tell you that you must believe in yourself and do so realistically. You cannot lead anyone unless you first of all believe in yourself. Be passionate about what you do and make it a work of art. Your goal must be that posterity will record your coming as a force for good. Lesson two. Wisdom comes from all around you. Listen and filter the communal view before you analyze and decide. Carefully measure alternative courses before you act. Know who knows. You do not have to know everything. Just know who knows or where to find the answer, whether it is in Google or your textbooks. Keep bright and positive people around you. Work hard. Very hard. The harder you work the luckier you become. Luck does not just fall in your lap. Do not run from challenges. You learn best when you face them. This is essential for growth. Write down a plan, your goals for the day, week, month and year, etc. Consult them frequently and measure your achievement. This will energize you for even greater success. Failure is not an end. When you fall down you get right back up, for although you may not know it, you are already on the road to success. Illegitimi non carborundum. Do not let the bastards grind you down. Keep your fingers clean. The right way is, you will find, the only way. Pay attention to the suffering of others. You are nothing unless you help develop the people around you to their full potential. Have a healthy reverence for the Almighty. Whatever your faith, or lack thereof, determine some principles that you live with. Make them the bedrock of your life. You will need this core support to steer you through the complex and challenging world out there. Indeed, make your character your personal brand. But most of all, I want to encourage you to dream. Have big, glorious dreams and go after them. Dream of a better world. Dream of a country where laws are not only made, but enforced. Enforcement of laws is the fundamental framework of a civilized society. Philistines and barbarians live in the other world. Dream of a country where infrastructure, roads, telecommunications, ports, etc. are developed which enable citizens to enjoy a quality life, enjoy their beautiful Trinidad and Tobago and make profitable business. This is the fundamental responsibility of the society to which you belong. Play your part. Dream of a country where there is teamwork and collaboration that optimize human resources and artistic and intellectual talents. This is the foundation of our future. Dream of a country that has mutual respect for each other, the laws and the environment and litter not on these. Erase the conditional subjunctive word WOULD so popular in our lingua franca from your vocabulary and insert WILL and SHALL and leave this auditorium in the firm belief that “I shall make a difference, I shall be a player on the stage of life for the good of mankind and I shall succeed.” Dream, my friends, of a great country in which you will play an important part. |
I would like to first thank UWI for the honour bestowed on me. I am indeed proud to receive this prestigious award and although today I have my family and siblings to witness the occasion, my regret is that those so dear to me who have gone before are not here to witness this memorable ceremony.