William H. McRaven has been a Navy SEAL
for 36 years. At age 58, he is now the top Navy SEAL in the United States
military, as Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. McRaven is the
man who actually commanded the Navy SEAL mission to get Osama Bin Laden. In other words, William H. McRaven is
the type of man who, when he speaks, commands attention.
On May 17, he returned to his own alma mater,
the University of Texas at Austin, where he delivered the commencement address
to the graduating class of 2014. In his speech, he offered 10 life lessons that
I think are worth repeating. As McRaven said, while he learned these lessons in
the Navy SEALs, they are just as valuable for people who have never worn a
military uniform. “It matters not your gender, your ethnic
or religious background, your orientation, or your social status,” McRaven told
the Texas Longhorn grads. “Our struggles in this world are similar and the
lessons to overcome those struggles and to move forward — changing ourselves
and the world around us — will apply equally to all.” Quoted from his
commencement address, here are 10 principles to live by, from the top Navy SEAL
in the country, William H. McRaven:
