Dear Graduate: A Letter for the Ones Who Made It, Anyway.

To the ones who almost didn’t make it—

 but did.

To the ones who showed up tired, broke, grieving, doubting—

 but still kept showing up.

To the ones who took the long way, 

the side road, the route no one else understood—

 and still found their way to the finish line.

You didn’t just earn a degree. 

You fought for it. 

You bled for it. 

You became someone for it.

And I hope you don’t let anyone shrink that.

Not the person who minimized your major. 

Not the job that doesn’t see your full worth yet.

 Not the voice in your head whispering, “Shouldn’t I have done more?”

Because listen— 

you did enough. 

You are enough. 

And this moment belongs to every version of you 

that didn’t know they’d make it this far.

The version who cried in the stairwell. 

The version who said “I’m fine” when they weren’t. 

The version who risked starting over—

 again and again— 

and kept building anyway.

Today is not just a celebration of what you’ve earned. 

It’s a memorial to what you let go of, 

a toast to what you’ve become, 

and a promise to what you’re becoming.

So stand tall, even if your knees are still shaking. 

Smile wide, even if the weight hasn’t fully lifted. 

And walk like someone who has seen storms— and still chose to dance.

Because you did more than graduate.

You grew. 

You glowed up. 

You got here—and no one can take that from you.

Here’s to the class that made it.

 And to the future we’re brave enough to build next.

With you, 

One of Us...

ALL of Us.

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About the Author:

Paradise Rodriguez-Bordeaux

🌎Global Business Strategist: Building Your Business To Sustainable Profits

🌟Empowerment Mentor | Philanthropist

#TrouverParadise #IntentionallyInnovative

A Paradise Company / Paradise Rodriguez-Bordeaux Inc.

best-selling author, entrepreneur, and thought leader.

     Paradise Rodríguez-Bordeaux, 2022 Human Rights Activist and the 2023 Innovative Leadership Awards recipient, says, ​ 

 "Sustainability is the bare minimum." 

As an author, coach, and mental health advocate, she is a passionate advocate for those who have faced adversity and discrimination in life. She has been a philanthropist for more than 15 years, giving back to her community by supporting organizations that provide solutions for poverty alleviation and social justice. Her work as an innovator in business solutions led to the founding of... Learn More​

"We need to consistently produce effectively efficient solutions.

This world, the communities, it's all of our responsibility.    

Leaders HAVE to lead."''

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