Randy Pausch - The Last Lecture

'We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just the way we play the hand.’

This quote is credited to a man by the name of Randy Pausch. If you haven’t heard of him, allow me to introduce you.

Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University was given the opportunity to give what the University traditionally dubbed ‘A Last Lecture.’

Professors are asked to consider their demise and impart their final ‘words of wisdom’ in a lecture to family, friends, colleagues and students.

Randy really didn’t have to imagine what he would say – he had been diagnosed with cancer prior to the offer and was now facing putting his affairs in order. If he had any words of wisdom, he knew now was the time.

With three small children under the age of 5 years old, he moved his family closer to his wife’s parents’ house so that when he passed, they would be able to find support, peace and love amongst those who knew her best. He was not in denial.

I first learned about Randy, his wife, children and the lecture through the internet. I love the internet! I sat in awe of his lecture, watching it over and over.

His lecture taught me so much – from who I want to be, how not to waste precious time – and how to love unconditionally though we know factually that death comes to us all.

I took the lecture to the adult learning centre I worked at years ago and showed it to the classes there. I talked about it to those who would listen and I watched it again and again. I wasn’t obsessed – just soaking up every life lesson message that Randy Pausch had to offer.

He dedicated the lecture to his children – something I thought was so special and would be meaningful to them as they got older.

The lecture was videotaped and went viral online. It was featured on a Barbara Walters special – and his words still strongly resonate with me today. If you dream it – you can do it. Heck, he was even a Disney Imagineer!

Randy Pausch passed away shortly after all of these events happened in his life – and at the end of it all, he still spoke of being grateful. He had accomplished so much in his 46 years – and left a legacy his children will cherish and learn from.

I found his book, ‘The Last lecture’ at a book store and immediately dashed to the cashier to buy it. His perspective was so interesting to me, I hoped he would offer more of it in the book. I wasn’t disappointed.

I’m currently reading, ‘The Last Lecture’ again – and every time I do, another lesson is discovered.

 

Randy Pausch has left this world - I never had the opportunity to meet him in real life, but his story hit me more profoundly than most I'd heard. Perhaps I was in a transition myself, it's possible.

 

Either way, Randy Pausch....thanks.                  

 

THE LAST LECTURE