Book Review: The Last Lecture

This last weekend my sister gave me a book to read that she had just finished for her book club. It was a book I've been waiting for her to give me since I saw it on her shelf last month. I've since ordered several copies and have friends that I plan to circulate this book to.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. What a story! I couldn't help but sniffle - waiting for my tear filled eyes to clear repeatedly - but I couldn't put the book down. "On September 18, 2007, computer science professor Randy Pausch stepped in front of an audience of 400 people at Carnegie Mellon University to deliver a last lecture called “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.” With slides of his CT scans beaming out to the audience, Randy told his audience about the cancer that is devouring his pancreas and that will claim his life in a matter of months. On the stage that day, Randy was youthful, energetic, handsome, often cheerfully, darkly funny. He seemed invincible. But this was a brief moment, as he himself acknowledged.

Randy’s lecture has become a phenomenon, as has the book he wrote based on the same principles, celebrating the dreams we all strive to make realities. Sadly, Randy lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on July 25th, 2008, but his legacy will continue to inspire us all, for generations to come. "

There were so many quotes in this book that resonated with me....

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand." This has been a quote that NJ has told me over and over again. We can't change others, but only our reaction to them. Thanks NJ.

"When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they've given up on you." I like this one - because I have a tendancy to give constructive criticism to our team, but have to remember to always include the good points too. I tend to focus on what can be improved upon. So keep in mind, it's because I care!

"Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something." This reminds me of those times when you have one of those pivotal moments in life. You may not recognize it at the time, but later, we realize WOW - I can't believe I did that and it changes our life for the better.

"...our dented cars became a statement in our marriage. Not everything needs to be fixed." Love this quote. I think time/age makes this this one more apparent.

"Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think."

We could all die tomorrow. Plan for the future, but lead you life every day as it could be our last.

You can watch Randy's last lecture - but be sure you have Kleenex.