I miss graduating. Elementary school, Middle School, High School, College, Law School — and then it stops. After getting used to living life in 3 – 5 year increments, all of sudden it ends. The carrot is removed from the stick and you’re left to roam free. It has been 6 years since I graduated from law school and I have to admit, I miss the carrot… and the stick for that matter. With graduation you knew two key things: (1) you had accomplished something, and (2) something new and different was upon you the minute you walked off that stage.

I have found that those 2 important things can be elusive once schooling is over. Sure, there are promotions, job changes, moving cities, and a number of other changes you can bring to your life. But few of them have the same kind of anticipation and certainty that graduating has. And after 6 years my mind is craving it. So I have decided to reinstate graduation into my life.

I have set a date for myself on which I will graduate from where I currently am in life. On that day I will make myself a diploma, walk off a stage (even if I have to build it for myself), and thereafter, I will ensure that each following day will look entirely different than the days before — until my next graduation.

I now have a renewed sense of anticipation and excitement for what graduation holds for me. And like every other graduation I’ve had, it comes with a host of uncertainties. But those inevitable uncertainties are the very things I’ve missed being certain of.