Every Moment a Blessing: Commencement Invocation -- Smith 2004

(Hafiz translation by Daniel Ladinsky)

On this commencement day we have feelings of pride, satisfaction,
a sense of accomplishment and profound joy;
it is a blessing to be here together,
but it is a mixed blessing.
While we celebrate with friends and family, professors and classmates,
and anticipate the moment when you graduates will walk across this stage,
we also become aware of who is not here today.
You have loved ones – parents, partners, grandparents, friends, children – who are not here.
Some could not be here today because of other commitments, illness, or even death.
Some could not come because of political unrest in your home country, terrorism,
economic hardship, or war.

Remember them and your love for them; their love for you.
Bring them all here.

Every moment, every breath is blessing.
Every encounter an opportunity to greet the sacred.

Allow this moment in your life to be such a moment.
A holy occasion. An instance of exquisite attention to the present moment.

In a world of injustice, war and strife,
In times of stress, sacrifice, and difficulty,
grace and peace is there, too;
Waiting for you to notice it. To be nourished by it.

Because when I look out from here, I see an ocean of grace
-- the love you have given and the love you have received.
This grace has carried you here and will sustain you.

So hear now the wisdom of a 12th century Sufi teacher,
Hafiz:

This is a time
For us to deeply comprehend the possibility
that there is nothing but Grace.

Now is the season to know
that everything we do
is sacred.

Let us rest in this ocean of love and thanksgiving.
Let blessing unimpeded wash over us.
My friends, let us begin . . . .