The text of the speech given by writer George Saunders back in May at Syracuse University's graduation was printed in The New York Times Magazine on August 21, 2013. It didn't take long before the speech was posted on hundreds of social networks and blogs and emailed all over the internet. This resulted in Random House announcing that it would publish an expanded version of the speech in book form in the Spring of 2014. "Congratulations, By the Way," will hit book stores just in time for the next commencement season. But don't wait until then to read the speech.
Audiences connect with Saunder's theme and are drawn in by how passionately he believes in what he is saying. Sincere belief makes the difference between a good speech and a great speech. Saunders' words are motivating and inspiring - in fact - his speech is good enough to perhaps make you rethink how you're living your life. It's the speech that keeps on giving; a beautiful and simple reminder to be kinder:
So here's something I know to be true, although it's a little corny, and I don't quite know what to do with it:So, what are people saying about George Saunders? He attracted a lot of media attention earlier this year with his bestselling short story collection Tenth of December. The New York Times called it the "Best Book You'll Read This Year." A few months later his speech gained traction and people are once again talking about George Saunders. Considering his simple plea for people to "Be Kind", I would say that's a pretty good person to be talking about.
What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.
Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded...sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly. It's a little facile, maybe and certainly hard to implement, but I'd say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than that: Try to be kinder.
