the last lecture

My mom & dad pointed me to Randy Pausch's last lecture this week, and I'm glad they did. It's very inspiring, challenging and simply amazing, especially coming from someone who was "dying." I've copied part of an ABC article below, which sums things up much better than I could.

"It all began with one, age-old question: What would you say if you knew you were going to die and had the chance to sum up everything that was most important to you?

That question had been posed to the annual speaker of a lecture series at Carnegie Mellon University, where Randy Pausch was a computer science professor. For Pausch, though, the question wasn't hypothetical.

Pausch, a father of three small children with his wife Jai, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer - and given 6 months to live.

Instead of focusing on his death, Pausch spoke about his childhood dreams.

He said, "I mean, the metaphor I've used is... somebody's going to push my family off a cliff pretty soon, and I won't be there to catch them. And that breaks my heart. But I have some time to sew some nets to cushion the fall. So, I can curl up in a ball and cry, or I can get to work on the nets."

Of the things he left behind for his kids: the lecture. He called it a message in a bottle, "I'm attempting to put myself in a bottle that will one day wash up on the beach for my children." The lecture, along with private videos he made for his children, and a book he wrote called "The Last Lecture" would help give his children a sense of how much he loved them.

So many people relate to Randy because every one of us has some sort of dream they want to make real, or some sort of passion that they want to tap into if they're not already thinking that way. People are just drawn to that. It's very magnetic to see someone positive not just about the big things but the little things.

"If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.""

I'd really encourage you to watch Randy's last lecture (the link is above). After you watch it you'll most likely want to go back & take notes, which my dad has done! I've copied them below, and I challenge you (as I challenge myself) to take each point to heart & really explore your dreams!

• What are your childhood dreams?
• Brick walls prove how badly we want something!
• Bring something to the table.
• When no one cares anymore, they have given up on you.
• Surround yourself with good people.
• Cynics—show them!
• Ask a question to someone where they cannot turn you down.
• If you wait long enough, people will impress and surprise you.
• Get out of pissing matches as soon as possible.
• Your delivery is very important.
• The best way to teach something is to make people think their learning something else.
• Loyalty is a two way street.
• You cannot get there alone—help other people help you.
• Tell the truth.
• Be earnest.
• Apologize when you screw up.
• Focus on others, not yourself.
• Brick walls let us show our dedication.
• Don’t bail; the best gold is at the bottom of barrels of crap.
• If you do the right thing, good stuff has a way of happening to you.
• Get a feedback loop; and listen to it!
• Show gratitude.
• Don’t complain; just work harder.
• Be good at something; it makes you valuable.
• Work hard…
• Be prepared: “Luck” is where preparation meets opportunity.
• Find the best in everyone; no matter how you have to wait for them to show it.
• It’s not how to achieve your dreams but how to lead your life!

Happy Friday everyone!