Retirement's reality is slowly setting in. These days I find myself spending time enjoying life's simple pleasures and not running off to meaningless meetings and having those knee jerk reactions to the never ending buzz of the blackberry! Instead I find myself these days engrossed in new found joys and revisiting those I have long since forgotten. For example, I now read for learning and pleasure rather than necessity. One such delight was reading The Last Lecture by the late Randy Pausch, Professor at Carnegie Mellon. In keeping with the university's tradition, Randy was asked to give a "last lecture"speech in which professors are asked to considered their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. The difference in this situation is that Randy had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. The lecture Randy gave ~ Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams ~ was not about dying. It was about living and the importance of "overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others and of seizing every moment."The book seized my unwavering attention from the very beginning with this powerful comment: "We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." Wow! And this from a man with precious months to live. Randy referred to his cancer as, "the Big Elephant in the Room," and throughout his ordeal he lived as though we were dying and yet, as he put it, as though he was "very much living like I'm still alive." He refused to give up and, most importantly, he refused to quit enjoying life.
When describing
the dreams for his three children he explained what he thought our role as parents should be; "a parent's job is to encourage kids to develop a joy for life and a great urge to follow their own dreams. The best we can do is to help them develop a personal set of tools for the task... . I would urge my kids to find their way with enthusiasm and passion." Yes! Enthusiasm and passion ~ a winning combination!!!
the dreams for his three children he explained what he thought our role as parents should be; "a parent's job is to encourage kids to develop a joy for life and a great urge to follow their own dreams. The best we can do is to help them develop a personal set of tools for the task... . I would urge my kids to find their way with enthusiasm and passion." Yes! Enthusiasm and passion ~ a winning combination!!!Reading of the The Last Lecture made me laugh out loud and cry without embarrassment. This is a must read for all. One of the many profound questions posed in this wonderful book is this, "why must pancakes be round?" Go find the answer!
To view the last lecture go to www.thelastlecture.com where you will find the link. The lecture is about an hour long so plan accordingly so you can view it without interruption and, oh yeah, have a box of tissue handy.
Have a great day!!!
