The Last Lecture
If you were told you had months to live, what would you do? What sort of legacy would you leave behind?
I bet whatever it is, it wouldn’t be to stand up in front of all your peers and give a lecture on what lessons you have learnt in life so far. Most of us would be too ticked off to even contemplate how to help those left behind. But that’s just what Randy Pausch did.
Randy was a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon and was asked to give what they call there “The Last Lecture”. When leaving the University the Professors are asked to give their ‘Last Lecture”, to talk about what lessons they have learnt and in most cases this has usually been because the Professors are retiring, not dying. But Randy had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, he has a young family, a great life and he doesn’t want to die. But as he says “we cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
So instead of talking about dying, he decides this is his opportunity to leave behind for his young kids, a legacy on the importance of overcoming obstacles. He talks about enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because time is all you have) and all he has come to believe about life and more importantly, how to live it.
This book is one of the best books I have ever read. It is funny, inspirational, intelligent and at times has moved me to tears. But the most important lesson I learnt was to work harder at making the most of everyday. I know this can sound cliché but really if we were in his shoes, just think about it, would we really sweat the small stuff. Probably not.
Now you can down load off the Internet, the actual lecture from the University, and I encourage you to do so. It is very entertaining and easy to watch. But the book has so much more and very worthwhile reading. He encourages us all to live a better life, to try harder to achieve our dreams and to never give up. I have gained so much more form the book.
I have to say I am inspired and I am going to write up my goals, as they say “you have to name them to claim them”. This book is also being read by my Dad, as it was his Fathers Day gift and he’s really enjoying it. This is a great gift for the special people in your life and keep it in mind for Christmas.
“Time is all you have. And you may find one day you have less than you think.” - Randy Pausch
Sadly Randy passed away in July this year after a brave and hard fought battle. To learn more visit www.TheLastLecture.com
Available: all leading bookstores Price:$29.95