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Of this I am certain,
from this I know,
if you don't step forward,
you've nowhere to go.

In the beginning,
take one step at a time.
Have some cheese and crackers
and a bottle of wine.

When did lying
become an acceptable
practice? When is someone,
responsible for what they say?

"There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes “What the hell is water?”

The quote is from David Foster Wallace 2005 commencement speech to the graduating class at Kenyon College. You can see the  Speech Video or you can read the full transcription

If nothing else, Wallace speech is timeless, telling us about "the real value of a real education, which has almost nothing to do with knowledge, and everything to do with simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over:  This is Water"

In 2015, Time Magazine called Wallace speech the Greatest Commencement Speech of All Time and highlighted 5 Takeaways. 

David Wallace (1962 - 2008) was an American novelist, short story writer, essayist, and university professor of English and creative writing. Wallace's 1996 novel "Infinite Jest " was cited by Time magazine as one of the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to 2005. His posthumous novel, "The Pale King" (2011), was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2012. The Los Angeles Times's David Ulin called Wallace "one of the most influential and innovative writers of the last twenty years". Wallace grew up in Illinois and attended Amherst College. He taught English at Emerson College, Illinois State University, and Pomona College. After struggling with depression for many years, he died by suicide in 2008, at age 46.

Words uttered,
when under stress,
unnecessary to say
would be my guess.

If I tell you tomorrow,
would you say, what?
or would you just,
keep your mouth shut?

When words shatter,
against the far wall,
where was the need
to say them at all?

Dry was the mind
of ideas, fresh,
stale thoughts
of being depressed.

Once the time,
for creative thought,
only way now,
seems to be bought.

Enrich your mind,
It's a knowledge vault.
If you choose not,
It's your own fault.

I know of love,
I know it well.
This last stage has been
a living Hell

I write the words,
thinking of you,
and the unlimited things
which you can do.

Carpe Diem,
seize the day.
Worry not about the morrow
or what the future brings.

Memento mori et carpe diem
Remember you have to die,
as we all do.
Tell the truth, do not lie.

When you have those who love the
way you function in life,
as we search for our being,
through love and strife.

Existing for the sake of being,
is our right in this world,
no matter your religion,
life choice or ethnicity.
Every individual has the right
to exist. Everyone.

When your courage has weakened,
your morals are thin,
be very careful,
No Mortal Sin.

Far and away,
in the land of dreams,
special moments spring
forth, without warning.
It's what life will bring.

Long were the memories,
laid here to rest.
The minds of our loved ones,
when the telling was best.

Will they remember,
will they even care,
about love and devotion,
thoughts we can share.

Into the darkness,
go quickly and fast,
or you may stumble,
finding your path.

Why is there fear,
of the dark, unknown?
It's like a Spy novel,
when your cover is blown.