Friday, April 18, 2008
By now, I'm sure most of you have heard of "The Last Lecture" and Randy
Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University. This wonderful man
is dying of cancer, and yet he has the courage to share with all of us how
to handle LIFES WORSE CASE SCENARIO.
topic that so many of us even hate to mention ... our own mortality. In
his "Last Lecture" at Carnegie, Dr. Pausch shared with his audience the
reality of his illness and the legacy he hopes to leave behind for his 3
young children (the oldest one is only 6 years old).
He lectured about the joy of life, his appreciation of life, and the lessons
he has learned from life. He talked about the important qualities of
character: honesty, integrity and gratitude. He acknowledged all his
important mentors and family.
In his book, "The Last Lecture", he touches upon the lecture (His video
is on You Tube, and I've attached it above. It is 76 minutes long,
but worth every moment.) and repeats much of it, but he also gives
you the story behind his decision to do this lecture. He also shares
more of his childhood, his courtship and marriage to his wife, Jai, and
his beautiful children. And, he shares his thoughts about the
remaining moments of his life.
I admit, I pretty much cried through the entire book. Some of the
tears are for him and his family and the heartache they are going
through, but many of the tears were also my own selfishness. A
reminder it isn't a matter of IF, but WHEN, that we all share the
same fate of death. And, I wonder, if I will have the presence of mind
to approach it with the same attitude.
Dr. Pausch will tell you he has the luxury of knowing, and can prepare
his family financially and create memories with his children. He can
leave his book, his videotaped lecture, and other writings and videos
for his family to view as they go through life. Many people don't get
that opportunity, or don't think about doing so in advance.
This book, Dr. Pausch's story, is a moving reminder to me about
saying "I love you" often, to say "thank you" more frequently, to keep
making memories with my children and never take for granted any
single moment on this journey through life. It also inspires me to do
a better job on this blog, this online diary. To share with my family
and friends I leave behind, who I am and what I enjoyed through this
brief passage of time.
Thank you, Randy Pausch, for your courage to share this "last lesson"
with all of us. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
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