by maddie rose

Created on: April 24, 2008   Last Updated: August 26, 2008

The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch

Who could not know or appreciate The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch? It is his last good bye to the world. It is all the things he wants to say and he knows his time will be up. This man, seemingly small and these days fragile, comes out on the stage and tells everyone how to live a happy life. As, he walks around a podium, he looks quite comfortable, as he tells you life could be worse and we should enjoy every moment we have. And, if your life is not going the way you want, change it. He is very simple in his statements.

In the lecture, you will realize, he says these things because he himself is dying from an incurable cancer. This does not stop him, it does not slow him down. It is his conquest in life, to complete, to have others see, there is no reason for regrets in life. We are who we make ourselves to be. This is what he teaches, what he hopes to make a difference, in his these 'last lectures', he performs all over the country with these lectures. He looks as he loves doing this and is meant to. Though I believe the true, first lecture was in his classroom at a university, a form of saying a meaningful, 'good bye' to his students.

Mr. Paush continues his message, and wants people to get the message, it is not about the cars we drive, or how many, what size our house or the salary we make. It is about doing what you want to do and loving it. It is about spending time with the ones who count the ones you love. He wants people to know, that we will all die, he feels he is no different from others, he wants no pity or sympathy. He thinks he is just the one who knows when his time is up. He tells us these things, we assume to help us with our lives. He shows the videos of his family from behind him, out of the darkness. Then he says, "This is why he does this." We assume it is for his children to remember him by, It is the last thing he says before he exits, an ironic word for the time of his leaving, don't you think?

We need to make our moments work while we can, because there is not another chance. He is serious and shows videos of the things he has accomplished, even the small simple ones that mean so much. Last week, on the news, I saw him catch a football by a member of his favorite team. He is still living his life to the fullest, as long as he can. Shouldn't we all do this?

At the end, he shows pictures on the screen of his family, children really. He says, something as, "This is why I do this lecture." Then, he turns around and walks away, because it is over. This giving you a feeling of how fast things can be over.

It is an impressive lecture, and can be caught on 'u tube' if you have not been lucky enough to see already. It is five minutes or so, which will capture your attention and change your soul. The first time I saw it on a show, it astounded me and does every time I am lucky enough to see it again.

His words are guaranteed to bring goose bumps on your arms. This is as unforgettable as Randy. A proud and respected 'bow' out of the stage and his life. A memorable performance. Bravo! A very personal ending to a very personal man.

God bless him.

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