"The greatest obstacle in life isn't failure; it's fear. Fear keeps you on the sidelines playing it safe, convincing yourself risks are for daredevils and greatness reserved for others. Yet, the reality is when you play it safe the only guarantee you get is that you'll live with regret."

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Lubbock, Texas ― U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings delivered the commencement address to the Texas Tech University Class of 2006 on Saturday, May 13. As the first U.S. Secretary of Education with school-aged children, Spellings gave the graduates some motherly advice and reminded them of the importance of remembering the lessons their mothers have taught them. Following are her prepared remarks:

Thank you Dr. Whitmore. It's true, believe it or not, I am the first mother of school-age children to serve as Secretary of Education and no offense, but what took them so long!

Serving President Bush is a tremendous honor and I love my job. But living in Washington isn't always easy. Once a Texan, always a Texan, and it sure feels good to be home!

In my family Texas roots run deep, and as you're about to see when you turn your Double T rings around and go out into the world, everything's better in Texas. People may hate you for saying it but, as we Texans know, it's not bragging if it's true!

I've visited the Tech campus many times, and walking around yesterday, it was good to see the Victory Bells, Memorial Circle, and that Soapsuds backside is still pointed in the right direction.

I'm truly honored to be in Lubbock to mark this tremendous occasion with the Texas Tech faculty, family, friends, and of course, the Class of 2006.

Today, Red Raiders, we're here for you to celebrate and congratulate you on all your hard work. I'd like to say a special thanks to all the education graduates. I can tell you first hand how much we need quality teachers, so thank you for your choice to serve our nation's students.

I'd also like to thank Interim Chancellor Haragan, the Board of Regents and Texas Tech for your very warm welcome.

To all the parents I want to say... job well done. A college education is a tremendous gift ― one of the best gifts a parent can give their child ― and a huge accomplishment for the whole family.

Graduates, look to the stands because they're the ones who made it possible ― they deserve a round of applause.

Now that my own daughter is in college, I have a pretty good idea of how they're feeling today ... they may be a bit poorer, but they couldn't be prouder. ... But, not so proud they want you moving back home!

Right now, I may be the only thing between you, your diploma, and a visit to Chimey's. So, lucky for you I'm a fast talker.

It probably seems like just yesterday you were learning the fight song at freshman orientation; settling into your dorm rooms in Chitwood-Weymouth, eating only the finest dining hall cuisine and, of course, taking your first trip through Raider Alley.

Let me tell you ― time only speeds up! It doesn't seem like that long ago, I was working my way through college at the University of Houston ― checking groceries at Handy Andy.

And now, my daughter, Mary, just finished her first year of college. I find it hard to imagine that she'll be sitting where you are in three years. God willing ― because as I told her and her sister, Grace, you can't be the child left behind!

My mother says ― All beginnings and endings are hard.

Today, something very precious is coming to an end. You're saying goodbye to friends, thanking teachers who inspired you, thinking back on many fond memories, leaving a place that's been your home for four years ... maybe a little longer for some of you.

But today, you're also starting out on a new beginning, an incredible journey, one that stretches farther and wider than anything you've ever known.

You face a future unplanned, unstructured by class schedules, semesters, and summer breaks. You're embarking on life, and it's very simply what you make it. The endless possibility ― which is so exciting ― can also be a tad overwhelming.

I remember graduating from college and you know some people have their 20-year plan, their 10-year plan ― I'm not sure if I had a 24-hour plan.

I went through several careers ― headhunting consultant, substitute teacher, campaign staffer ― on a losing presidential campaign ― and that was just my first year out!

So, if you're not sure what you'll be doing ... once you're done celebrating! The good news is the job market is better than ever ― and it's probably a toss-up who's more relieved to hear that, you or your parents.

What got me through those first months, and many times since, has been some good advice, most notably from my mother-Peg.

It's been the rare situation when I didn't hear my mother's voice uttering one of her famous ― or infamous ― "Pegisms." A few of my favorites:

"You need loving most when you're most unlovable!"

"How do you get to Carnegie Hall? ― practice, practice, practice."

I wish she'd told me not to get married right after college, but that's another story...

Now, everyone has a mother, father, or mentor to whom they listen. Even Coach Knight had to listen to his mother; after all she was his second-grade teacher!

Many of you can probably think of words of wisdom your mom says all the time. And trust me one day you'll say something and you'll stop in horror and realize, "I sound just like my mother!"

Being a mom has been my most important job and the greatest joy of my life. My girls have gotten me through tough times, taught me more than I'd like to admit, and keep me grounded and focused on what counts.

To them I'm not the Secretary of Education ― I'm their goofy mom who makes them clean up their rooms before we watch American Idol!

Through the years, I've definitely found myself uttering a few "Pegisms". And along the way I've come up with my own Margaretisms. So, I'd like to share some of that advice with you.

First, life has no limits. It's unpredictable, thrilling, awesome. And to live fully ― you've got to seize opportunity, roll with the punches, be a little daring, and above all, keep your head in the game!

That's what I tell my girls. To succeed ― you've got to have focus. The ability to see the big picture, the courage to dig in and persevere so that when life throws you a curve you don't get derailed. Because life keeps you guessing.

Sometimes the road stretches straight ahead. Sometimes you're stuck in 5 o'clock traffic. Sometimes you're just trying to find the nearest exit.

And one thing you'll discover is ― that more often than not ― what at first appear to be roadblocks and setbacks are the very things that'll get you where you were meant to be.

So, as best you can, have fun, put on some good music ― maybe a little Pat Green ― and don't let anything or anyone narrow your dreams for the future.

I certainly never thought I'd be in the President's Cabinet. When I was working my way through college, when I spent years uncertain of my career path, I could never have predicted or planned where I find myself today.

But, while I may not have always known where I was heading, I had focus and faith. If you believe in yourself others will too. And if you have confidence in who you are, there is no end to what you can accomplish.

Because the greatest obstacle in life isn't failure; it's fear. Fear keeps you on the sidelines playing it safe, convincing yourself risks are for daredevils and greatness reserved for others. Yet, the reality is when you play it safe the only guarantee you get is that you'll live with regret.

As I tell my girls ― Stand and Deliver. You have a similar saying here at Tech ― "Get Your Guns Up."

When I first got to the White House I felt completely out of my element ... surrounded by Ivy Leaguers. But, I got my guns up... I stood and delivered ... I did my best. And before long I was meeting with Senators, flying on Air Force One, and helping the President perfect his pronunciations. We're still working on "nucular."

It just goes to show you ― the only boundaries to what you can achieve are the ones you set for yourself.

Always aim high. Don't settle for what you know you can accomplish. Challenge yourself to pursue the impossible, and you'll go farther than you can ever imagine.

I've always liked the story of the college student who got a C on his final paper because his idea was implausible. The idea, an overnight delivery service. The student, Fred Smith. You may know him better as the CEO of FedEx.

So, don't let anyone else take the measure of your worth and capabilities. Always stand proud in who you are!

Our fellow Texan, Lance Armstrong has a saying inspired by his mom ― "Pain is temporary, but quitting is forever." Anything worth anything takes some doing, takes sacrifice. To seize life and live fully invites the potential for pain and disappointment. But that's the risk you take so that you can stand proud knowing you've lived, you've played, while countless others never got off the bench.

And if you fail, try again. Ask the Aggie football team for pointers.

As I tell my girls, "If all you ever do is all you've ever done, then all you'll ever get is all you've ever got."

It's easy to get caught up in life's routine - the morning commute, your daily Starbucks latte, hanging out with friends after work, Home Depot on the weekend, maybe Bed, Bath, Beyond if there's time!

Take time to pause and make sure that you're living life and life isn't living you. Have a plan, but don't be afraid to improvise. Get off the beaten path. Explore the detours and back roads. Don't be in such a hurry to get where you're going that you miss some amazing scenery along the way.

That's just a little sampling of advice. You may be thinking about the advice your own parents and grandparents have given you, or maybe you're just thinking how much you're going to miss Fried Cheese at Spanky's.

Hang with me, because I want to leave you with one final thought.

We live in a world with I-pods, Gmail, Xbox ... you're probably text messaging each other right now.

Technology has connected us in ways that your parents and I never dreamed.

But the things that really matter ― still matter most. And your generation gets that.

More than ever before, young people are answering the call to serve. Sitting among you are some who have chosen to serve as soldiers ― and for that you have the gratitude of all of us who benefit from the freedom you go to defend.

No matter what you do in life I want to encourage all of you to find some way to give back. The impact of that choice will not only improve the lives of others, it will enlarge and enrich yours as well.

As I said at the start, all beginnings and endings are hard.

Live your life so that when you look back on this day it will stand out not as an ending, but the beginning of a wild ride, a great adventure, a life lived well and with purpose.

So, go forward, guns up, dream big, live boldly.

And don't forget to call your mom tomorrow. It's Mother's Day!

Thank you and Congratulations!

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