Not too long ago I wrote about Randy Pausch and how he has changed the life of millions of people; it is with a heavy heart that I say, Randy has died today. Randy has made amazing contributions to Carnegie Mellon and more importantly has made amazing contributions to people. His “last lecture” has inspired people to live better lives. According to Randy, “we don’t beat the Reaper by living longer. We beat the Reaper by living well.” This was his philosophy and this is how we should all live.
I started following Randy’s updates on his site several months ago and have always been rooting for him from the sidelines. He has really inspired me to try to live a better life, to always put family and friends above anything else, and to “live well.” I’m still fairly young (25) but I plan to take what I have learned from Randy and apply it to the rest of my life. My heart goes out to all of his family members and friends and my heart goes out to all of us, for we have truly lost a philanthropist, an inspirational leader, and a great man.
There is actually a great article written about Randy that can be found here.
As my own personal tribute to Randy I promise to make a few changes in my life:
- put friends and family first above anything else
- spend less time worrying about material things
- spend more time thinking about the positive things in life
- live life with more kindness in my heart
- try to be more patient
- try to help others
I have riposted his videos below and encourage everyone to watch them.
Randy Pausch, the last lecture at Carnegie Mellon
Randy Pausch an Oprah, Shorter Version of the Last Lecture
Randy Pausch on Time Management
“Every man dies – Not every man really lives”
~William Ross Wallace
Thanks for reading
I just watched the Time Management lecture and that man is awesome. I am deeply glad that he now functions inside humanity without limits to his physical capabilities.
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Your post is my introduction to Randy Pausch — and he sounds wonderful. I'm going to find out more.
And if the list of things you're going to change in your life is anything to go by, I'm really going to like what I discover.
Because, to me, those things are the REAL things that matter. That confirm our humanity.
One thing to flag up: my mother's famous saying (famous in our family, that is) is that 'People mistake kindness for weakness.' I think that's true — people do. And I think that they are SO misguided.
Because to live kindness, you have to be strong. Kindness is, in fact, the strongest you can be.
That's how I try to be. And I ain't changing for anyone!
Your post is my introduction to Randy Pausch — and he sounds wonderful. I'm going to find out more.
And if the list of things you're going to change in your life is anything to go by, I'm really going to like what I discover.
Because, to me, those things are the REAL things that matter. That confirm our humanity.
One thing to flag up: my mother's famous saying (famous in our family, that is) is that 'People mistake kindness for weakness.' I think that's true — people do. And I think that they are SO misguided.
Because to live kindness, you have to be strong. Kindness is, in fact, the strongest you can be.
That's how I try to be. And I ain't changing for anyone!