For a man who did not want to be there speaking, Rainn Wilson does a beautiful and insightful job imparting good advice with humor. How can you not love this guy? I like Rule of Contentment number 4; "Have an attitude of gratitude."
Finding joy, paraphrased: Law of Contentment #1: Happiness is not an if/then proposition. You won't find it externally. Law of Contentment #2: Desire leads to dissatisfaction. Non-attachment opens the door to joy. Law of Contentment #3: Live in the spiritual part of yourself. Law of Contentment #4: Complaint is easy. Gratitude takes effort. Share your gratefulness with the world around you. Law of Contentment #5: Live in the present moment, not pondering the past nor worrying about the future. Law of Contentment #6: Serve others to fulfill yourself.
KUDOS RAINN! Well done! I think we do a disservice to kids when we ask them "What do you want to BE when you grow up?" Perhaps we would do better by asking "What do you want to DO in SERVICE to humanity?"
I think you missed my point (and possibly Rainn's). Asking "Be" rather than "Do" invokes thoughts of status rather than service. Changing our approach would be worth a try in that it might lead to more altruistic ambitions.
+Awkwardgesundheit overwhelming is good. Life is about making sure it's are as underwhelmed as possible so all kids excel. I find that system inherently flawed. Not everybody is exceptional. Overwhelm people more. The capable call that inspiring. Those who are capable will step to their calling.
I'd say it's more sensible to, you know, give people a basic fair education (which, you know, we do) and then provide a basic level of living (every 1st world country but the US does, despite entire books of the bible being about service to the poor in what used to be a so-called "christian" nation, but I digress) and then allow people who want to pursue what you call "higher callings'" No man is great on their own in the first place. Some people work hard and get lucky. When they do, they get lucky in a country within which they are mostly safe (thanks to those who aren't "great" tolling for almost nothing; police, fire dpt, roadways, military) Some people work hard and live modest lives. That's actually 99.9% of all humans who will ever exist. Given that, maybe Rain's speech makes perfect sense in that context. Actually, it's exactly the same thing Plato said so long ago. The "capable" are generally no harder working or intelligent than 99% of most humans, they stand on "the backs of giants" Perhaps we should focus on departing from this very system, where in the vast majority of humans do not profit greatly; with technology that will soon bring us the choice between clinging to our current systems and allowing technology to create infinite supply, infinite work, with almost no human effort. In that case, in the best case scenario that is easily able to start in 20 years or so, is to cling to the sorts of things Rain points out here. Perhaps we should take careful stock of the "great" who are so rewarded at the cost of most of humanity and realize there have been no humans producing anything new since antiquity; just new versions of the same things and a constant cycle of hopeful submission by the common man and the delusion of false morality embraced by the rich.
As an Office fan, to see his other side was humbling, you never know what people have been going through. Beautiful Speech, such a great human being and i hope he achieves greatness in days to come.
This is the way that graduates around the world ought to be inspired to give back all that they have received and that life has given them for the well-being of all humankind.
In todays world, to hear the truth is very rare, thanks Rainn!! We are spiritual beings with hearts full of love!! In service to others, regardless of our religions, our hearts become stronger and our vision clearer!!
Total seriousness with no mocking - Rain is a Jedi. He just outlined Jedi teaching: we are all connected to the divine in everything, open yourself to that divinity, attachment leads to the dark side, be present in the moment, serve others.
"Happiness consists of two kinds; physical and spiritual. The physical happiness is limited; its utmost duration is one day, one month, one year. It hath no result. Spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable. This kind of happiness appeareth in one’s soul with the love of God and suffereth one to attain to the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity. Therefore, endeavor as much as thou art able in order to illumine the lamp of thy heart by the light of love"
Thank you Rainn, I really needed this kind of talk right now!! Seriously, you're a great inspiration for me! Even if it is not directly for me, I wanted you to know that you reached me with your wisdom! Great speech!!
I found this speech inspiring, thoughtful, honest, meaningful. I will revisit the video clip because I will write those Rainn laws down. Recognizing our flaws, and forgiving them, trascending the physical to seeking the spiritual meaning of life, living in the present, not the past nor the future, feeling gratitude for the multitude of blessings one receives every day.... Loving..... and ultimately, serving others.....yeah. Sounds like the recipe for Joy just write. Thank you Rainn! Amazing delivery!
Excellent speech, serving selflessly to make the world a better place resulting in happiness. If everyone went about life this way imagine the change we would see!!
As a 20 something year old, I am inspired by this speech but then I also need to make something materialistically fulfilling so as to take care of my siblings and ageing parents which is not possible if I start serving others with the precious time I hold in the present. The only reasonable solution I think is for me to make money now - enough to make per year through interest from bank deposits and support my family, then at about the age of fifty to start going deeper into the trenches of what Rainn has mentioned here about finding happiness. This is an enlightenment I cannot afford at the moment.
I'm thankful a friend shared this youtube with me. Glad you agreed to give this talk. Prayers for you in whatever challenges you are currently facing. Thank you for sharing.
When these folks have found the dead end that materialism leads to, they will remember that nice guy at my graduation tried to help me . . . oh yeah . . . do something for someone else . . . let me try THAT! SERVICE! Let me try to help someone! Rainn . . . you gave them the meaning of LIFE !!! Bravo !!
I have new profound respect for Mr Wilson. I didn't know how insightful he is. He has spent much time on someone greater than himself. A diety. Kinda sorta reminds me of in some odd way of Mr Rogers.
Brilliant speech, thank you Rainn - I have been striving to always live in service to others for many years now and encouraging my loved ones to do also as I I know from experience to be way more satisfying than any materialistic desire could ever bring. Prayer has always been my most powerful method to get through many obstacles and making many various especially life changing decisions in life - tuning in and being present when following the promptings from my prayer to my heavenly father have always seen me right. How privileged the graduates were to receive such relevant spiritual truthful and caring advice in this ceremony. I have created an event inspired by your awesome Soulpancake Media company for youth in my own family this coming sunday as my act of service to them on my 1 day off. My 7 year old daughter and I have named it Soulpancake Sunday - hired out the youth space library in our city, I've planned a whole itinerary for the day which includes a Soulpancake Sunday cook off challenge, a personal guided tour by me a Library Staff member - around the Youth space and city library teaching the kids about all the majority free services our library has to offer and how to access them and join them up as members with a whole bunch of awesome bonding, connecting activities in between incl tuning in on one of the huge flat screens and showing the kids some Kid President clips on great things to ponder and do presented to them by another Kid I felt was so convenient, entertaining and thought provoking in an absolute positive way and a nice change from listening to another adult telling them how things are..... I recently started in March in the city library after succeeding my pursuit of finding a job that I actually had passion for...I was in a very comfortable decent paid but very boring un-fulfilling office job, going to work each day feeling frustrated - took time out to think what do I love to do and could get paid for doing it.......The Library came to mind a space I always enjoyed - our city library concept is The Living Room of the City - The pay is way less but I look at it as a temporary sacrifice and know I'm only going to flourish on this brand new path. The part I love the most in my job is doing the prep stuff before we open like I'm getting my house ready for guests then welcoming our community into our Living Room of the City - hosting them as their Service Guide to learn about the numerous services available and how to access them and assisting them in anyway whether that be in the library or through the library, I've had so many Awesome experiences with my customers in the short time I've been in this role, some life changing through the simple matter of conversation, being friendly and approachable enough for customers to feel comfortable to ask for help and in 1 case a customer discovering the library had books in her own language in our international languages living room, she has been a regular member for the past 4 years and hadn't realized this living room existed until I had informed her on on this 1 particular visit after hearing her speak her language to her 3 year old - I thought to myself in most cases the "parent" language is universal and I was so blessed to have had this opportunity to help her and also find childrens books in her own language to read to her child. It has highlighted to me even more how important a resource the Library is in the public community and I have passion to mentor youth,building future leaders which is why I am excited about offering this Soulpancake opportunity for the youth in my family this Sunday inspired by you guy's!!! X you guy's rock and I absolutely love promoting Soulpancake after only discovering a few weeks ago and very happy to report after sharing my thoughts to fellow colleagues - I found 1 that was just as excited about you and he gave me the Soulpancake book to borrow :-) how cool is that, much love from Aotearoa NZ
Great speech for this audience. Does anyone know what particular demons Rainn is wrestling with at the moment? A severe depression, perhaps? And why? I understand his decision to veer aside from talking about himself, after the initial introduction; but I often find that the true story of someone's personal struggle, with at least a few key gory details (with names omitted to protect others), is so much more compelling than the "advice speech" without the personal history. But perhaps these young graduates would not understand what he is going through, or find themselves able to relate, at their age.... For myself, at 51, I find the openly shared histories not just compelling and helpful, but absolutely necessary. Does Rainn Wilson read these comments? Care to throw us a bone?
Hello! University of Southern California I am a student who expected to graduate from languages and translation college.. and i am really hoping to have the chance of translating this brilliant speech of Rainn Wilson because i find it so inspirational and really answered so many questions that may graduates just as me whould have, so if you please may allow me to translate it by allowing the feature of translation on your video side note: i'm a huge fan of the office :D
If the past is just an illusion why revear the quotes sited in this speech. I really enjoyed most of this speech and there is some wisdom in it, but one of the reasons wisdom is so valuable is its hard to find and to give.
In other words... Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
