Once in a while I enjoy returning to the experience of convocation by reading a speech from a graduation ceremony. The latest in such a collection is bestselling author Ann Patchett’s speed at Sarah Lawrence College, published as an expanded version in a short book, What Now?. You may know Ann Patchett from popular novels such as The Dutch House and Tom Lake. I enjoyed a few hours soaking up her wisdom.
Ann Patchett | Goodreads
Based on her lauded commencement address at Sarah Lawrence College, this stirring essay by bestselling author Ann Patchett offers hope and inspiration for anyone at a crossroads, whether graduating, changing careers, or transitioning from one life stage to another. With wit and candor, Patchett tells her own story of attending college, graduating, and struggling with the inevitable question, What now?
From student to line cook to teacher to waitress and eventually to award-winning author, Patchett’s own life has taken many twists and turns that make her exploration genuine and resonant. As Patchett writes, “‘What now?’ represents our excitement and our future, the very vitality of life.” She highlights the possibilities the unknown offers and reminds us that there is as much joy in the journey as there is in reaching the destination.
What Now? – Review
In What Now? Ann explores the big question and the many times it shows up in our lives. Sharing stories from her time as a student, waitress and novelist, and most recently the experience of writing this very speech, I found her essay to be relatable, humorous and comforting. Here are some quotes that I found myself gravitating to and why:
“When you leave this place, as upi will in a couple hours, be sure to come back. Coming back is the thing that enables you to see how all the dots in your life are connected, how one decision leads you to another, how one twist of fate, good or bad,…”
Pg 3, What Now?
I love that Ann starts off with encouragement to return and to save a place for reflection in life.
“Sometimes the circumstances at hand force us to be braver than we actually are, and so we knock on doors and ask for assistance.”
Pg 20, What Now?
Ann shares the story of having newly moved in on campus and attempting to bake cookies in the community kitchen. Oddly, the oven did not warm up and she ended up knocking on the door of one of the houses nearby, establishing a long-term relationship with the family living there. I thought about the moments in my own life when I have shown courage when all I felt inside was nervousness. I think about the number of times I walked into a classroom at the start of a new semester and either chose an empty seat or found a welcoming stranger to sit by. I think about the friendships that exist because of mine or someone else’s willingness to get to know someone new.
Once we are settled in a job, such opportunities can be few and far in between but the fact that we have done something out of our comfort zone before, sometimes with positive outcomes, is a reason to have faith in our abilities and not be afraid to “knock on doors”.
“As quickly as you think that everything is set, it all becomes unglued again.”
Pg 57, What Now?
Ann reminds the graduates that life is forever changing. The moments of surety are present and should be savored but they do not last like we would expect them to. We work towards goals of a degree, a stable job, a family, etc., and there are moments when we achieve them. The efforts don’t end though. There is still living with our accomplishments and moving forward.
“There’s a time in our lives when we all crave the answers. It seems terrifying not to know what’s coming next. But there is another time, a better time, when we see our lives as a series of choices, and what now represents our excitement and our future. The very vitality of life.”
Pg 77, What Now?
As beings with an active imagination, we always crave answers. We let our thoughts wander to good but mostly terrible scenarios, trying to reduce our anxiety of the unknown. But once those unknowns become known or in parts of our lives where there is certainty, we have a clarity about life. The future is hopeful and exciting, even if details are unknown. I recently transitioned from craving the answers to being hopeful about the future. The test results I was waiting for resolved my anxiety and I am now free to see what unfolds. I know it was a choice to wait for the reports but at the same time, each situation is different and at certain times in life, some pending answers hold more weight than others. Showing ourselves grace is a key and Ann highlights this in another quote. “The secret is finding the balance between going out to get what you want and being open to the thing that actually winds up coming your way.” – Pg 76
“You are someone’s favorite unfolding story.”
Pg 80, What Now?
Maybe this person is your parent or your favorite aunt or your grandparent or someone who once used to be a stranger. Ann ends the speech with a reminder of how much each one of us is loved and cared for.
If you are looking for a quick motivational read, give What Now? By Ann Patchett a try. 🙂 Add it to your Goodreads.
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