Early this year, I picked up the book The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I had hoped to have read it by now. In fact, I did start to read it. But, life got in the way and I have yet to pick it back up and finish it. What is stopping me? Procrastination. Plain and simple.
But, I still feel that I can at least get at what the book means to me. You see, about 2 weeks ago, a friend at work sent me a link to the full video taped lecture that Randy gave for the students and faculty and his friends at Carnegie Mellon. I was able to watch the full 76 minute video and can honestly say that this man put an amazing amount of information and inspiration into those 76 minutes.
What did he talk about? Well, first you need to know what his “last lecture” was about and what prompted it. You see, Randy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and, sadly, it was very aggressive and the chemo and other treatments couldn’t stave off the disease. And, when he was first diagnosed and given just a few months to live, in 2007, he managed to hang on until July of 2008. Thus, his last lecture was meant to be his last lecture, along the lines of, “you’re going to die, what would you like to impart to your students, friends and family before you pass on?”
So, he basically broke the lecture into three parts: his childhood dreams, how he realized those dreams, and finally how to make a difference in the lives of others. Without going into details, let me just say that his presentation was incredible. He spoke openly and honestly about his condition and then proceeded to give a history of his childhood and early adulthood and how and when he managed to fulfill most, if not all of his dreams. He finished the lecture talking about what it was like to inspire others and how to do it. Essentially, he left a roadmap of how to bring out the best i people and urge them on to greatness.
Why is this book/video so important to me? Well, as I have blogged over the past few days, I’m trying desperately to change my life and find my purpose. And, I believe that my purpose is to inspire others and help them achieve their dreams. Reading the beginning of the book and watching Randy speak gave me hope that I could do exactly the same. In thinking about my life and experiences, I can now more clearly see my path. I expect the book to shed more light and allow for easy reference as I seek to make a difference.
Here is my pledge: I will pick up the book and read it, cover to cover and report back to y’all within two weeks. I hope that you will hold me to this. It’s the one favor I would ask. Just help me stay focused on reading the book. That would be awesome if you did that for me.
In the meantime, please feel free to watch the lecture. I’m sure you will find it as thought provoking and inspirational as I do.
Peace and may you realize your dreams!!!!
Les
December 5th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I read it, and watched the lecture, (and went to Carnegie Mellon, although I didn’t know Randy Pausch) and I can tell you, it’s worth it. Maybe none of it takes the genius that Pausch had, but sometimes we just need to be told what we already know. It’s definitely inspirational. And a quick read, once you get yourself to do it!
(Here via the #best09 challenge, fyi.)