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It is early, just about 5:00 AM and as I sit here, I can feel the cool morning air from my open window. My view of the outside world is dim because the lights are just coming on for the day, but I can faintly see the world as I know it taking shape. It is new day, and one to be embraced.

The birds are serenading me. They are singing at the top of their lungs, reminding me that there are times when it is appropriate to make yourself known. We have a lot of trees in our yard and so we have a lot of birds. It is a beautiful sound to hear. I am not sure what their song means. I have heard that they can be both mating calls and warnings to other birds to stay out of their territory. 

I don't speak "bird" so I like to imagine that their songs are their way of greeting the new day in a happy and joyful way. A song I learned as a child, sang of the birds being the first to see the sun, so they must tell everyone that the morning is finally here. I like that thought. It gives me the confidence to share my news with you, because I imagine that the birds are not boasting, they are simply singing in the new day.

I September of 2003 I began work on a doctoral degree in Consulting Psychology. Consulting Psychology is a specialized branch of Organizational Psychology. It is focused on the individuals that make up organizations. The Consulting Psychology program is designed to help bring a greater understanding of the individual in the work force, and to help those individuals become their very best.

I completed all of the program requirements in September of 2008 and received my diploma shortly there after. Today I will participate in the commencement exercises. During the ceremony, I will be officially acknowledged as Dr. Andrew Thorn. To cross this finish line, I will dress in a fancy black robe with some neat accessories and then I will be formally recognized for earning my Doctorate of Philosophy in Consulting Psychology.  

I feel a great sense of accomplishment as I cross this finish line. It is the same feeling I have felt as I have crossed the finish line in my triathlons and marathons. Because I have crossed other finish lines, I completely understand that this is not an ending it is a beginning. I find it interesting that even the formal ceremony is referred to as a "commencement" ceremony. By definition, it is an event that marks the dawning of a new stage – a literal beginning.

This "Finish Line", like the many others I have crossed in my life, is now in the past. The memory will always be with me, and the fact that I crossed it will always mean something to somebody, but for me, the sun now rises on a new day. 

I understand that much more will now be required and expected of me than before because of this personal accomplishment. The only way I can meet the demands that will be made of me in the future is to now raise the bar to a new level. I must continue to keep learning or I will not be able to ever sing a new song again. I can sing the song of today, only today. Then, if I don't grow, it becomes a meaningless song. The goal of continuous improvement is a never-ending goal. I must always be anxiously engaged in a good  cause or I will lose my way.

"Commencement" for me means that I must now begin to create the new me. The previous me will be acknowledged today for the accomplishments of my past. The future me must now rise up and become the very best me that I can be. It is what I owe myself and the individuals I will work with over the rest of my life. 

I feel very excited by this challenge. 

Those who study the songs of birds begin to realize that each song is an individual song. Though they sometimes sound similar, each song is a unique identifier of that individual bird. Today I sing the song of "commencement" – what song are you singing? 

I am not asking you to compare you song to my song. I am asking you recognize your song and sing it loud enough for you to hear. It doesn't really matter if anybody else hears it, I just want you to hear it. Today is a great day to acknowledge who you are. It will help you gain more perspective on who you may become. I hope that thought excites and energizes you as much as it does me. 

This is my song of today. I look forward to learning a new one tomorrow. As I look toward the future, I see a scene similar to the one I saw as I first looked out the window this morning. It is a bit fuzzy and gray, but the new day is taking shape and there is life and opportunity all around in the world as I know it. Thank you for opening your window and listening to my song. I appreciate all your support. The thought of you reading makes it possible for me to write everyday the song of my life. 

Please notice again the picture at the beginning of this post. There are two birds. I could have never learned to sing this song without the support of Stacy Thorn, my beautiful wife of 21 years. She is the best! She inspires me to be my best. Life is good because of her. We earned this degree together. She paid more for it than I did. I will post a picture of us here together after the ceremony. Thank you Stacy – I love you!

Live Today! Love Today!

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