LADIES AND GENTLEMEN of the Class of 2007 -- a few words of graduation advice:

Have a safari with life.

Think of the world beyond the classroom as a wilderness adventure, full of wonder and discovery and, yes, danger and disappointment. The journey is the destination -- that's what Jim, your trusty safari guide, wants you always to keep in mind.

Live your life with passionate intensity and do not waste time with petty frustrations.

Make a list of things you want to know or do and chase them by pushing yourself to the precarious edge of possibility.

Strive to contribute to the world because none of us knows how much time is left on the clock.

This is the gospel according to Jim -- Jim Clowes, who died from cancer in 2004 at the age of 47. Several years ago, I interviewed the popular University of Washington senior lecturer who profoundly touched the lives of hundreds of students through the Comparative History of Ideas program.

He was known for encouraging young people to live out their ideas by going to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, where they could see human conflict up close and create projects to encourage others to find common ground.

The other day I came across a printout of an old e-mail from Jim. It was dated March 2003 -- the same week U.S. led-forces invaded Iraq in what was supposed to be a short war.

His words still echo.

Throughout history, he writes, folks have sacrificed their lives to protect their own, but "people should ... resist the tragic human tendency to find meaning in the killing of the enemy."

Understand people who are different, Jim writes. Don't demonize them.

"Sometimes one must fight -- such is the sorrow of our lives," he says. "But I also believe that this is very rarely the case."

Jim writes that we should be wary of the "Great Lie" -- "those visions of high moral calling that ... divide human beings between good and evil. Are we not all good and evil? Do we not all struggle to make sense of this life?"

The answers, of course, are yes and yes.

Exercise humility.

Respect others.

Tell the truth.

Take time to listen.

Oh, and there's the importance of having a backup plan. That is why I'm bringing Jim's wisdom to you, the class of 2007, which will graduate this weekend from Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University and the University of Washington, just in case your commencement speaker has nothing to say. (ha.. ha)

Jim does, beyond other pearls you may hear today, such as "Leave the toilet seat down!" or "Some things are best left un-Googled."

Be fearless, for once you face your fear, you'll find the opposite -- the strength of mind and courage to get through.

Believe something good can happen and will. Never stop learning.

Try not to leave room for regrets.

You get meaning in life by finding a partner to love with a love that stretches your heart, by pursuing work that feeds your soul, by volunteering with kids or cleaning up the environment, by not just making something of yourself but making the most of yourself.

You gain joy by nurturing true friendships and family ties and seeing your kids grow up, by downing oysters with a cool drink on a hot summer day, by taking the time to read a good book or by plunging into the world to see different people and places, by feeling the sand between your toes as the surf rushes up.

"Take care of each other," Jim sums up in the e-mail.

And enjoy the grand safari, ladies and gentlemen. It can be heady. It can be unpredictable. It can be fun, but keep an eye out for the cheetahs and jackasses.

Just one last thing -- use sunscreen.