104. Six Lessons I’d Give to the 2025 Graduating Class of Goshen Central High School
To the graduates of Goshen Central High School: I stand before you not as someone who’s had a perfect life, but as someone who’s stumbled, fallen, and fought to stand up again. I’m an addict in recovery, and I’ve learned lessons the hard way. I share these with you today not to scare you, but to show you that no matter how far you fall, there’s a way back—and sometimes, you can spare yourself a lot of pain by listening to someone who’s already walked through fire.
Lesson 1: Don’t Trade Who You Are for Who Others Want You to Be
One of my earliest mistakes was trying to mold myself into someone I thought people wanted. I craved acceptance so badly that I ignored my own values. In high school, it might seem like fitting in is everything, but later, I learned that pretending to be someone else can lead you down paths you never intended to walk—paths that, for me, led to addiction and pain. Stay true to who you are, even if it means standing alone for a time. Authenticity is freedom, and it’s far more valuable than any popularity you might gain by betraying yourself.
Lesson 2: Your Choices Matter More Than You Think
In my darkest days, I wished I could go back to the seemingly small choices that steered me off course: skipping school, hanging out with the wrong crowd, experimenting with illicit substances. At the time, they felt insignificant, but they planted seeds that grew into something I couldn’t control. Know that every decision you make is a brick in the road you’re building. Choose carefully. One choice may not define your whole life, but repeated bad choices can.
Lesson 3: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
I waited far too long to ask for help because I thought it was a weakness. By the time I realized I needed it, the hole I’d dug was deep. If you remember nothing else I say today, remember this: you are never alone, and there is no shame in asking for help. Whether you’re struggling with mental health, school, relationships, or something you can’t even put a name to yet, speak up. The bravest thing you can do is reach out. Asking for help can change—and save—your life.
Lesson 4: Gratitude Is a Lifeline
In recovery, I learned to find gratitude even in small moments. During my worst days in detox, I practiced saying “thank you” just for the sunrise or for the fact that I was breathing. Gratitude doesn’t erase pain, but it gives you something to hold onto. Don’t wait for life to be perfect to start being thankful. When you’re grateful, you’ll see opportunities instead of obstacles, and you’ll value people over possessions. This mindset will sustain you when life feels unfair or overwhelming.
Lesson 5: You Are More Than Your Mistakes
I carried so much shame over what I’d done. I thought my mistakes defined me—that I was doomed to be “the addict,” the disappointment. But in recovery, I learned that our past can inform us without condemning us. You will make mistakes; it’s inevitable. But you don’t have to become them. The courage to own your wrongs, make amends, and keep moving forward is what defines character. You are never too far gone to change, to heal, or to grow.
Lesson 6: Live Like You Have Something to Lose—Because You Do
When I was using, I acted like nothing mattered, but I lost so much: relationships, trust, opportunities, years of my life. I forgot that life is precious and that every moment is something to cherish. I want you to live like you have something to lose—because you do. You have your dreams, your health, your potential, and the people who love you. Don’t squander those gifts. Honor them. Protect them. Build a life you’re proud of, one decision at a time.
I wish someone had told me these lessons when I was your age, even though I may not have listened. Maybe you won’t either, and that’s okay. But if you ever find yourself lost or broken, I hope you’ll remember that you heard these words once, and that you can always start over. I hope you’ll know you are not alone, and I hope you’ll know that even when life doesn’t go as planned, it can still become something beautiful.
I envy you, standing at the start of adulthood with your whole lives ahead. You have opportunities I once took for granted. You have time. You have hope. Don’t waste them. Don’t let fear of failure keep you from trying, but don’t let recklessness fool you into thinking there are no consequences. Build a life with intention. Love fiercely. Work hard. Laugh often. And never stop learning.
I won’t pretend that life after high school is easy. There will be heartbreak, disappointment, and moments you’ll want to give up. But there will also be joy you can’t yet imagine, friendships that feel like family, and victories that will make you proud of the fight. Life is a breathtaking, messy, complicated gift. Don’t throw it away chasing something you think will make you feel whole. What you’re looking for is already inside you.
My final wish for each of you is simple: may you live a life so full of purpose that when you look back years from now, you’ll know you didn’t just exist—you truly lived. And if you ever fall down, may you always find the strength to get back up.
Congratulations, Class of 2025. The world needs you—just as you are.
And remember, if you’re struggling or know someone who is struggling, please don’t lose hope. If that had happened to me, I wouldn’t be able to help spread awareness today.
