| Tonight, I watched a special segment on Randy Pausch, the college professor, husband, and father of 3 young kids, who wrote the book, The Last Lecture. I admit, when the man died last week, I didn't bother to read the Yahoo article because I didn't really care, mostly because I didn't know who he was. Looking back, that was a mistake on my part, and I feel like such an ignorant for passing up the opportunity to read about his story. But as I say, things happen for a reason, and I guess I was destined to watch the segment on him instead of just reading about him on the internet because there was so much more to him than just words could express. Seeing it on television was something more of an experience that would begin to change my life and my perspective on life.
Watching that segment really sparked something inside me. For all I know, it may have sparked the inner psychologist in me (haha). Hearing about how he found out that he had pancreatic cancer and living optimistically through it really amazed me, and I strongly admire him for having that mentality throughout his last several months in life. In his book, The Last Lecture, he explains that when his doctor broke the news to him, instead of feeling utterly disheartened, he felt optimism because he has hope that he could be apart of the small percentage of victims who would survive this cancer. That optimism helped him get through the toughest and most tragic event of his life. But a few months later, his treatment failed to work and doctors gave him about 6 months to live. And so, the bucket list began for Randy Pausch, to achieve unachieved goals, to start building a supporting foundation for his family, and to inspire others. Pausch did just that and more during the last several months of his life. He went on to touch the many lives of his students, colleagues, family, and friends, even strangers (for me for example). How amazing is that?
After reading a short excerpt from The Last Lecture and trying to get a hold of it through LAPL (I was #462 on the waiting list with only 65 copies available), I decided I was going to buy it at Borders, so I put a copy on hold. It really made me feel good because not only will his words help me, but it'll help me to help other lives in the future. Especially those who are convinced they cannot achieve something. From Pausch, I learned that it doesn't matter what the situation of your life is or what you think is stopping you from achieving something, it's really just up to you. His wife, Jai, also taught me that even when you're in the deepest rut in your life (come on, you have to admit, her life has been quite difficult in the passed year with Randy's cancer news and him dying at age 46, leaving behind a 6, 4, and 2 year old), there is always hope and faith for better days, you just have to see it yourself and/or truly help yourself to see it. She's such a strong individual, and I admire her as well, just as much as Randy. As I grow older, I only hope I can live in a similar mentality as them both.
Even though this entry will be forgotten someday by readers and possibly me, I'll never forget the impact this family and their story had on me. And to show my gratitude, I will only pass on this impact and knowledge.
Listening to this song really gets to me because not only was it played on the segment, but it truly describes the Pausch family, especially Randy.
Rest In Peace Randy Pausch, you're missed dearly.<3
And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight's the night the world begins again |
