It is not the goal. The journey is a good one, full of joy and wonder, despite the fragility of life and the loss that grieves us. We are to pay attention to the journey - pay attention to our loves, to the needs of others, to the help that we can give along the way. Graduation has to do with the journey. Our journey in life is purposeful.
Graduation marks one important step.
Sometimes on the journey we let down our baggage and stop for a time as when we completely relax on a day off. This letting down helps us not to get so completely focused on the goal that we miss the journey. Sabbath rest helps us not to neglect these demands of the journey. A favorite journey story of mine is the one where Jesus' followers are walking on the road to Emmaus. They are absorbed by the grief of Jesus' shocking death, journeying for their own sake out of harm's way.