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If you had an opportunity to give a room of graduates advice, what would you say?

This would be the most touching opportunity I could ever embrace.  I did not graduate college. I did NOT succeed or did I?  I did WIN and I did NOT WIN.

 How does one contradict ones self?  Simply through drive and love. Where do you think the name RyanTech came from? Me? Nope!  Although if I had a dollar for every time I was called Ryan I'd be filthy rich.

 This young man named Ryan is my son and he's done an amazing job with life.  Working summers, winters and after school time in college at George Fox University where he recently graduated with his BA and prior to that being educated at Modesto Christian School since Kindergarten.

 He's the best McMillen to have ever been gifted life.  He's married to an amazing woman, Cortney, who graduated from Corbin University in only three years and invested time at Oxford.  What a resume!

 From the day he was born I told him "You're going to college no matter what it takes" and he lived the dream of getting good grades, living life through our Lord and being a wonderful example of what a great life we can all live.  From playing on computers, his xBox before they were available, participating in xBox test scenarios at the Microsoft campus and a perfect example of an older brother to his Sister Cassidy.  Not to be forgotten he's actually owned about as many cars as I have. This guy is amazing. He's actually been rebuilding a BMW E30 since high school and owns 3 others currently.

 To those that haven't met him, he's the Ryan of RyanTech and I am so proud of him. Happy to make the introduction.

 Back to giving advice...

 Listen with your heart.  Pay attention as life runs faster than you might think. As his proctor said at his graduation ceremony at GFU this month "Read every day" and "Be giving".  And as his father I have only a few words to express to you graduates... 

 Be Known, Be Yourself, Be Kind and Be Ready for life as it passes in the sun every day.

 You too can make your father as proud as I am of my son.  Stay focused, stay real, stay unique, never give up and tough it out.  As I said to my son the day after he stepped off the podium with his degree while chatting in the parking lot of a hotel in Oregon... "You did it son, now you get to figure out who you REALLY want to be.  Do NOT be lost in your time or days of the future.  Do NOT wonder what's next. DO NOT revel in the question of what to do with your time and your days coming forward.

 DO, be yourself and DO make a difference.  DO, make everyone's life a better one.  DO, trust in your faith and definitely DO treat people right no matter the cost.  And most importantly, I Love You Son."

 I hope these words provide graduates some comfort in knowing that you too can make a difference.  It's quite obvious that my graduate has done so and you too can be amazing.


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