On Saturday our oldest son graduated from college. I’m proud of him and happy for him, but I’m trying to figure out how/when I became old enough to have a son graduating from college! (btw … he’s 22, the age I was when I had him)

I was thrilled to find out the commencement speaker was Dr. Oz.  The weather was perfect for a graduation, so the stadium was crowded and I wasn’t close enough to get a picture of Dr. Oz, but I took notes from his short, meaningful talk.

Dr. Oz opened with a great line he learned from a mentor …

Be brief and you might be invited back.

Then he shared ten points … in the style of Letterman by counting down to the best one.

Dr. Oz’s Ten Keys for Life

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10. Find what makes you come alive, what gets you in a ‘zone’, what brings you peace … and spend some time doing that everyday.

9. Generate an expertise outside of your normal area of work, so you are more balanced. Get comfortable being uncomfortable … and you might be surprised where it takes you. Dr. Oz is a heart surgeon practicing in NYC. When he was first asked to appear on The Oprah Show it stretched him out of his normal comfort area, but it’s taken him places he never dreamed he’d go.

8. Develop a system that works for you and stick to it. Routine brings you comfort and purpose during times of stress and change.

7. Find a mentor!

6. Whatever you choose to do … do it with a childlike passion. Give your all to it.

5. No one is a jerk on purpose, so give people the benefit of doubt. Don’t judge too quickly. Let people surprise you.

4. Recognize that relationships have to keep growing to survive. Average relationships only last 7 years … so reinvent the relationships close to you to keep them strong.

3. Don’t forget your body! Taking care of your body is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

2.  Live in the present!! In the moment. Some of the most dangerous words are … if only!

1. You must make the driving force of  your life … LOVE! No matter what, love has to guide you in all you do.

He expounded on each of the points slightly more — but at the beginning he said he would speak for ten minutes and that’s what he did. (as a speaker I was impressed with his accurate timing and all that he said in only ten minutes)

Your turn. If you were giving advice to college graduates, what is one thing you would make sure to say?