Humans are the only creatures with the ability to dive deep in the sea, fly high in the sky, send instant messages around the globe, reflect on the past, assess the present and imagine the future. ~~ Sylvia Earle

June has arrived!  Many of you have recently attended one or more graduation or promotion ceremonies for your children, relatives, or friends.  This is a wonderful time of celebration, acknowledging the hard work put in to get to this very special day. By the time this article is published, I will have attended 3 graduations on the East Coast for family members – two from high school and one from college – as well as celebrated the middle school graduation of my grandson.  Every week I smile when I open another graduation/commencement announcement.  My summer travel will include more graduation celebrations and an opportunity to visit colleges in the cities where my family will gather.  Supporting, Nurturing and Celebrating the accomplishments of young people is my calling – it’s in my DNA!

Last week my family and I toured the Charles Widger School of Law at Villanova University, where my granddaughter will be attending in the Fall.  As we strolled along, I asked my daughter how it feels to have all three of her children in a state of transition – to high school, college and law school.  Her perspective as a psychologist and an educator was clear – you acknowledge the emotional turmoil that exists, get everyone to where they need to be, and keep moving to the respective finish lines.  She also mentioned the need to pause and reflect on the journey, with all of its twists and turns.

Transitions are inevitable, but reflections are intentional.  When was the last time you paused and thought about your path to your present? Did things go according to your plan? Are you happy where you are in your life?  What would a ‘do-over’ look like for you? With each accomplishment and milestone achieved, did you stop to pat yourself on the back?  My guess is that it’s been way too long since you gave yourself permission to celebrate and reflect.  And as parents, we are far better at managing the celebrations than we are at encouraging our children to pause, reflect and be “in the moment.”

I get excited when I am contacted by former students who reach out just to let me know how they are doing, especially during their freshman year of college. When I connect with the students, my check in consists of questions about what they feel they could have done differently (especially first semester of freshman year) and what they will do differently the next semester.  I also suggest that parents encourage their own children to do the same.  Even if the student never shares the information with anyone, the exercise provides them with an opportunity to really give a hard look at what they learned and how they wish to change the experience – and possibly results!

As we dive into the months of Summer, partaking in graduations and other educational-related celebrations, pause and take stock of the accomplishments and achievements being recognized.  Then use these celebratory events as springboards to plan the next milestone or goal along your educational journey.  Be intentional and honest with yourself – it’s how we grow and improve.  And remember, The Journey Begins with You…!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.