My thoughts…on stuff

My thoughts on…Randy Pausch’s death

August 1st 2008 -

I was dropping cards yesterday when I stumbled on Keith Goodrum’s blog, and I found out that Randy Pausch died on July 25th. Though that was over a week ago, I simply had to post on it. You may be saying, who is Randy Pausch, and why should I give a damn? I felt the same a few months ago, until I learned of his story on Digg. He was a beloved professor at Carnegie Mellon University as well as a husband and father of three, who was suffering from pancreatic cancer. The cancer was incurable, and he was given 3-6 months to live. But rather than wallow in self-pity, he found the courage to give his students one final lecture, following a university tradition. Heck, he even found the courage to laugh at the situation a couple times. It was one of the most inspirational speeches I had ever heard in my life. It was about realizing your childhood dreams and living your life, and he had done just that. It was so popular that it ended up on YouTube, and was viewed over 3.3 million times. He was also asked to reprise his speech on Oprah. Here’s the speech.

It touched me to the core, as it reminded me that no matter how lofty your dream may be, it can be reached through sheer determination, and he was living exaple of that. My favourite quote: “The brick walls in our way are there for a reason. There are not there to keep us out. There are there to give us a way to show how much we want it.” Thinking about it, he was a very fortunate man. He did what he set out to do in life. Unlike most of us who sacrifice our dreams for the sake of making ends meet, he fulfiled them. He found love, and had a family. And he saw his death coming, so he was able to put his house in order before he died. Not to mention gaining a bit of fame. Rest in peace sir. You were a great man.

Related Posts:

1. My thoughts on…Dana Reeve’s death
2. My thoughts on…Bernie Mac’s death
3. My thoughts on…Coretta Scott King’s death
4. My thoughts on…Charles Hyatt’s death
5. My thoughts on…Lou Rawls’ death

6 Responses on “My thoughts on…Randy Pausch’s death”

1. 
   jdid Says:
   August 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 am

   r.i.p

2. 
   Stunner Says:
   August 2nd, 2008 at 3:50 pm

   I saw his story on TV. Very encouraging is his outlook despite the grim future he knew he had.

3. 
   kami Says:
   August 3rd, 2008 at 6:49 am

   courageous man..RIP

   kamis last blog post..From NY to FL

4. 
   GC Says:
   August 7th, 2008 at 9:32 am

   heard this on the radio
   hard to be jaded in the face of such refreshing philosophy
   great person–seems like he probably did what he came here to do

   GCs last blog post..whoa horsie

5. 
   Mighty Afroditee Says:
   August 7th, 2008 at 12:24 pm

   I had heard about this inspirational man on CNN, and was in turn moved by his bravery, and the strength of his family. That is a wonderful way to go.

   Mighty Afroditees last blog post..Bend It Like Mommy

6. 
   My thoughts on…Bernie Mac’s death on My thoughts…on stuff Says:
   August 12th, 2008 at 12:15 am

   [...] first Randy Pausch’s death now Bernie Mac’s. This blog’s becoming a bit somber isn’t it? Anyway, I was [...]

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