If your parents prefer you find a “real” job instead of pursuing acting or if you find yourself second-guessing the decision to follow your passion, then you might be interested in hearing Jim Carrey’s commencement speech at the 2014 Maharishi University of Management. 

In Carrey’s Maharishi University commencement speech, he warns the consciousness-seeking graduate class against making the conservative choice, that the “need for acceptance can make you invisible.” He then encourages them to “Risk being seen in all of your glory.”

Jim Carrey’s Memorable Commencement Speech

Speaking from his real-life experiences, he says, “So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect, so we never dare to ask the universe for it. I’m saying that I am the proof that you can ask the universe for it. Please. And if it doesn’t happen for you right away, it’s only because the universe is so busy fulfilling my order.”

In the profound commencement address, he then tells a story about his father who had natural comedic talent, but didn’t believe that being a comedian was a career option. Having four children, Percy Carrey chose the more conservative career path as an accountant.

A 12-year-old Jim Carrey learned an important lesson when his father lost that “safe” job, and everything seemed to fall apart for the family as a result.

The Carrey’s lived out of a van for some time, and the family members pulled together as they persevered through the tough circumstances. By the time Jim was 15, he started working as a janitor to help the family survive, dropping out of high school to help make ends meet. 

Passion Over Fear

“I learned many great lessons from my father–not the least of which is that you can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love,” says Jim.

For Jim Carrey, that meant following his dreams of being a professional comedian despite his family’s lack of financial stability. His dad, adept with his own sense of humor, helped Jim create a stage act which eventually caught the eye of Rodney Dangerfield. Dangerfield took notice of the budding star, and asked Jim to open his tour performances. This pivotal moment helped transform Jim into a renowned comedian, and the rest is history.

Ask the Universe for What You Want

“As far as I can tell, it’s just about letting the universe know what you want and working toward it while letting go of how it comes to pass,” Jim Carrey tells the graduates. “You are ready and able to do beautiful things in this world. And after you walk through those doors today, you will only ever have two choices: Love or fear. Choose love, and don’t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart.”

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