Dear graduates, Karen Carpenter isn't around to give your commencement address.

But if she were, she'd likely say you've only just begun. White lace and promises. A kiss for luck and you're on your way.And that's a scary thought after having spent 12 years inside a cocoon.After sitting in classroom chairs lined up like so many dominoes, you're about to step into a world that's not lined up at all.Be ready for it. And understand a few things.Don't wait for someone to inspire you. Be your own source of enthusiasm.Don't start your adult years with a movie theater mentality. If you intend to sit back and be entertained, you'll be disappointed.Our school system produces report cards but no guarantees. It's a guessing game, and so is the way we gauge results.There's no way to measure individual initiative, passion and desire. Yet those qualities are common denominators of achievement.You've probably heard this before, but graduation doesn't mean your education has been completed. It means you're just starting to understand.Hopefully, school has taught you how to learn and where to look for information. It's OK if you don't know the name of the coldest planet in the solar system, just as long as you know where to find the answer.Teachers aren't the only ones who teach. Be open to everyone and be a student of the world.Know that everybody has a story to tell and a lesson to impart. Each human you meet has something to offer and a special way of doing it.You can learn from a mechanic, a sanitation worker and a plumber. You can learn from a man behind bars. Listen to all.Learn to appreciate examples of honesty and hard work. All work is noble, and those who tackle each job with sincerity are to be admired and respected.You'll find honesty isn't necessarily the norm. There are many who make a living being dishonest. Don't be one of them.And don't think a diploma entitles you to immediately step in as president of Microsoft.For those going on to higher education, understand that college is a business.Some colleges lure you by telling you they offer "career placement" upon earning your degree. Don't count on it.There are many kinds of jobs in this world, and your diploma entitles you to apply for one and perhaps climb the ladder.If you get hired, be proud and give the job your best effort, whether you're a research chemist, a dishwasher, or a house painter.If you've been led to believe that being successful is measured in money, you've already been shortchanged.Try to overcome that false perception. Success isn't always measured in dollars, and neither is happiness.Understand that the most respected job title you can have isn't "president" or "chairman of the board," but rather, "volunteer."Volunteers are the engine of society and the most cherished, valuable individuals you'll meet.You'll also learn the only thing guaranteed in life is there are no guarantees.And, oh yes. One other thing. Your entire cocoon eventually will vanish. Totally.Cherish your parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Make them a priority on a daily basis.In the blink of an eye, they'll be gone and you'll wonder what happened. Once you no longer have them, nothing is the same anymore.Life without a cocoon can be very, very cold. It'll be your job to generate warmth.Above all, try to make the world a better place. There are many challenges to tackle.We need to find a cure for cancer. We need to discover a treatment for Alzheimer's. We need to understand the cause of autism.But most importantly, we need to learn how to get along. We need to learn how to interact with others who might be different from us.Up until this point, our educational system hasn't done so well in this regard.Like others, you might fail, as well.But give it your best shot.At this moment, you're the only hope we have.