Thoughts on The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
January 28, 2010 by Debbie
Filed under Cliff Notes, You, Inc.
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just how we play the hand.
Randy Pausch
(October 23, 1960 – July 25, 2008)
How would you live your life if you found out it was going to be cut short by a tragedy. How would you be different? What would you want to accomplish?
Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture, was an American Professor of computer science and human computer interaction at Carnegie Mellon, he was a dad of three children, a husband, and a son, but most of all when trying to decipher who is Randy Pausch, really, the only conclusion that reasonable minds can come to is that he is nothing short of amazing.
By way of background, normally when a professor gives his Last Lecture speech, he is asked to consider their demise and speak about what is most important to them, what matters to them that they bequeath to the world.
As a participant in the audience, one cannot help but to consider what their legacy would be, just as when you are a guest at a wedding ceremony, it’s easy to get chocked up if you think back to your own nuptials if the memories are good ones.
Pausch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on September 19, 2006 he underwent what is known as a Whipple procedure. It’s a radical attempt to halt this type of cancer, but he soon learned that it was unsuccessful. He was told in August 2007 that he possibly had 3 to 6 months of good health left.
For Dr. Pausch, even though he was a full fledged Disney Imagineering Consultant, there was no imagining or mulling over what could be, because the truth of the matter was he was dying and he was forced to truly think about the legacy he had to leave for his family. He didn’t have much time to put his affairs in order.
As I began reading this book I found myself very sad, and almost considered putting it down. All I could think about was this poor man who had everything going for him and how unfair it was that it was all taken away.
Boy, am I glad I kept reading.
I can’t even think of a word to describe this amazing man. The book was entertaining, really funny in parts and by the end of the book you weren’t really even thinking about the fact that he was dying, you were thinking about how you want to begin to live your life just like this great man did.
His enthusiasm and zest for life, even though he was in the sunset of his years at the young age of 47, erupted out of the book like the filling out of a jelly doughnut if you aren’t careful when you’re biting it.
More than half of the book was devoted totally to “Enabling the Dreams of Others” and “It’s About How to Live your Life”
Randy begins this section with a quote by him:
Randy Pausch
He talks about dreaming BIG dreams, he talks about how the brick walls are there to prove how badly we want things. They’re not there to keep us out, but to keep out the people who don’t want it bad enough.
From the time I started this chapter to the end of the book I didn’t look up.
It’s a life lesson for all of us.
Tim McGraw does a wonderful song called “Live Like You Were Dying” Here’s some of the words:
He said: “I was in my early forties,
“With a lot of life before me,
“An’ a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
“I spent most of the next days,
“Looking at the x-rays,
“An’ talking ’bout the options an’ talkin’ ‘bout sweet time.”
I asked him when it sank in,
That this might really be the real end?
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?An’ he said: “I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
“I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
“And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
“And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying.”
An’ he said: “Some day, I hope you get the chance,
“To live like you were dyin’.”Like tomorrow was a gift,
And you got eternity,
To think about what you’d do with it.
An’ what did you do with it?
An’ what can I do with it?
An’ what would I do with it?
The analogy here is that when a lot of people find out they are dying they will try to do everything they haven’t done before. Some people live like they are dying when they really don’t see that light yet.
Randy Pausch, right up to the end, lived like he was living. He never skipped a beat. He moved his family to another state because it will be better for his wife and kids when he is gone and they just lived day to day like there was no end.
Folks, you gotta read this book. And, you HAVE to watch The Last Lecture. It will change everything you believe about how to live your life.
When I think back and reflect on this great book and amazing man, I’m sure of one thing as sure as I’m sitting here. Randy Pausch and Walt Disney are up in Heaven right now designing a brand new Disney World for all of us when we get there!
Great post Debbie, living our lives with the clarity of what’s ultimately important to us is both energising and liberating. Love your metaphor of Randy’s enthusiasm and zest for life erupting out of the book like a jelly doughnut..
Also reminded of an exercise that Stephen Covey suggests, that of starting with the end in mind, Covey literally suggests fast forwarding and visualising ourselves at our own funeral service and listening to the eulogy of what people who’ve known us well in our different life roles are saying about us. The exercise can help clarify and get us in touch with our unique abilities to give, to share joy (as well as pain), and to make a difference,
Thanks for the post,
Johneal
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Debbie Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I do remember that exercise from Stephen Covey. It’s really good to go through and think about what it would be like. I loved this book, as you can tell
Thanks Johneal for your comments. I appreciate it!
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Excellent post Debbie! Randy is one of the most remarkable people I have ever read and listened to. His message and words are so pure and honest. Truly a unique human. I only wish God could have kept his angel with us longer. I also have written a piece referencing my hero, Randy.If anyone has not read his book, go buy it today. Share your thoughts. Thanks!
http://cliftonhatfield.com/are-you-a-tigger-or-an-eeyore/
Clifton Hatfield´s last blog ..Are You a Tigger or an Eeyore?
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Debbie Reply:
January 30th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Hey Clifton, thanks for your comment. When I listened to the Last Lecture I was as rivited as when I read the book. What an amazing man! We could all take a lessen from him on how to live our lives.
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Debbie this was an excellent post. I could only imagine how inspirational the book is just from you writing this great post. I plan on getting the book tomorrow. I can’t wait.
Kia Buford´s last blog ..Is It Really That Important To Set Goals?
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WOW Debbie, Thanks for a wonderful post! What an amazing man that we can all learn from. The Tim McGraw song is amazing. I heard that at a retreat weekend one time and it has stuck with me ever since. We all need to live each day!
Thanks again for your great insights.
Make it a great day!
God Bless,
-ed
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I loved this book. IT does make you think! The key is to read it, get inspired and remain in the mode of awareness! I work on that constantly.
Jackie Ulmer´s last blog ..Jordan Adler and Jackie Ulmer, Dishing on Network Marketing
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Debbie Reply:
February 21st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Yep, that really is the key. The actual lecture is really motivating also. He was a great man!
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Hi Debbie,
Great summary of Randy’s work, I have seen the video but I have not read the book, I think I’ll have to get a copy now. He lived like he was living not like he was dying, I’m glad you pointed that out, there’s a real difference.
You often hear people say what would you do if failure, fear or money was not a problem, perhaps we need to add to that what would you do if you had 3-6 months left to live to really get the message through.
He really made a difference and made a lot of people think about their own situation. Thanks for the great post.
Cheers,
Lynn
Lynn Glaser´s last blog ..Facebook Connections Part 2 – Keep The Conversation Flowing
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Debbie Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:53 am
Thanks Lynn, I think that was the biggest thing I took away, that we all need to live like we’re living. Some folks seem to give up too soon and it’s sad. This was a great man and I really enjoyed learning about his amazing attitude on life! It’s too bad it was cut short, but I just believe he was needed somewhere else and now he’s doing great things there
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Hi Debbie
I followed Randy as he would appear on TV shows. At times it was hard to watch, my father died when I was young and left mom to raise my brother and I. As a child sickness and death was very scary I didn’t understand it at all.
What Randy gave his family and thousands of others was hope. His children will always remember his courage and strength, what a wonderful gift in such a hard time. I put his book on the list.
Thanks for sharing for your heart!
Debby Beachy
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Debbie, Randy was on the Oprah Show shortly before he died. Although he left me crying, his message is still ringing in my mind. What a powerful way to live … and die.
It is sadly true that there are many people who fail to LIVE. Each and every day is a blessing to be cherished. I was reminded of that again today. My son was in a 4-car pile up this morning during rush hour traffic. While his truck was totaled, he walked away with a major whiplash.
Thanks for reminding me of The Last Lecture. I’m going to share it with my son:)
Darlene Davis´s last blog ..The Phenomenon of Time
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