Randy Pausch and Hope « Nae Ireumeun Mitasha

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Randy Pausch and Hope

May 7, 2008 by docmitasha

I was watching Oprah today and, because he’s everywhere on the news, Randy Pausch was on. Along with Dr. Mehmet Oz. If you haven’t heard of either, you haven’t been watching the news. Wikipedia ‘em both. Randy Pausch is the famous professor dying of pancreatic cancer, whose powerful last lecture has become famous universally. Dr. Mehmet Oz and Randy were both on the Time 100 Most Influential People. If you still don’t know who he is, there’s a brief background below…

Anyway, I was touched again by Randy and how positive he remains, despite his recent congestive heart and kidney failure. Time is running out for Randy, but he is still trying to make the most of it. He is appreciative of the people who have appreciated him. His belief in karma remains strong. It was inspiring to see him. What really struck me was what Mehmet Oz said about what Randy had taught the world : “Hope does not lie in a great outcome. Hope lies in making sense of the things going on in your life.” Randy cannot expect that the ending will be happy…he will soon die, leaving his wife and three young children behind. Yet he is hopeful, not about miraculously living, but about the life that he has left, and he has chosen to live that time the best he can and leave behind whatever legacy he can for his children. That’s true hope, and that’s truly inspiring.

I like these lines from his reprisal speech on Oprah a lot too, in which he was explaining why he gave the speech. “Its important for you to know why I gave this talk. The talk isn’t just about how to achieve your childhood dreams. Its much broader than that. Its about how to live your life. Because of you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you. If you live properly, the dreams will come to you.”

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Randy gave his ‘Last Lecture’ at Carnegie Mellon, soon after he was given his life sentence of 3-6 months. He’s beaten those odds, and continues to live the best life he can. His speech, now a national best seller, is full of inspiration, hope, and all about the stuff it takes to fulfill your childhood dreams, be who you are and learn to love your life. Randy remains very positive, despite his failing health, and has not lost his sense of humor. The Last Lecture was meant as a message for his children; however, it has reached out and touched literally millions of people across the world (thanks to the internet!). His story and his lecture has circulated intensively, affecting those who read it or watch it strongly and positively, with his optimistic, very funny, and life-affirming message.

(Watch the video of the lecture here)