Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

In no way could anyone watch this lecture and not be moved. Learning and giving inspiration to others is one of the greatest ways to love and live, as long as you have friends with you. You may not grow up with parents, but along the way through your life, friends are one of the best things to have. Randy mentioned "head fake" learning. I was introduced to this type of learning when I was about 15 yrs. old. Had the worst year ever at batting and after the season was over my dad bought a ball on a string. We did not practice, we had fun in the back yard, about a hour per week. See, no drilling it into me, just go practice and fun until I got better. Next season, first time at bat, I hit a triple, and that was a great season for me. Then as I grew into a young man I started using this technique on myself. When you have to learn something you consider boring, make it into a story in your head that you can tell to others, and come test day, no worries.

Randy, or I should say Mr. Pausch, talks about brick walls and waiting long enough for people to show something different. I was lucky enough, or wise enough?, to notice when I started working that most of the bosses I had were smarter than me in their thinking process and even though they were not happier than me, something was different. Then I began to teach myself different things, such as I made myself better at math, and I improved my social skills. That led me to notice that some people treated me different. You get invited to gatherings that your red neck friends, as good as they may be, will not be invited to. So begins the path of personal betterment. Now comes the point in your life that you use this knowledge and impart it to others and help them see that they too can be different if they apply themselves.

I was born with a physical imparement in my foot, and the doctors told my dad I would not be able to walk correctly much less run. Wrong! I quickly went through that brick wall by walking up the stairs into our house and scared my mom nearly to death because I had disappeared. I was 3 yrs. old and it is as if no matter what the obstacle, I always find away to persevere. When Scott Paper laid me off, along with many others, I tried to get into the chemical factories in North Mobile County, along with everyone else. So I spent two yrs. driving an eighteen wheeler to get the experience, then transferred into hauling chemicals. After about 3 yrs. I was hauling chemicals all over the place making a good living. And now after that I'm in college to become a math teacher, so do not ever give up.

Mr. Pausch also talks about saying things in a different way and to just wait, someone might surprise you. I have quite a few stories from my life about how I just waited, acted the way I always act and letting people see how I am, and letting them come to the realization that what they were told could not be true because I do not act that way. Pay attention and do not compromise yourself in any way and always be faithful and truthful to those that deserve it. The others, do the best you can without ruining your own reputation.

Remember this the most from Mr. Pausch's speech, have fun in your life and share your enthusiasm for it with others. If there is someone whom you see is not as happy as you, invite them over for a cookout or something, to show them that things can be better. Remember to never set a permanent bar for yourself, also be prepared to change or raise that bar. Here's the cliche: Live your life as if there is not tomorrow, you may never know.

Figure out my head fake. This was not for you, it was for my grandson.