Randy Pausch was a Professor at the Carnegie Mellon University. He was an award-winning professor who taught about computers. He fought cancer and did a series of lectures until those lectures were out in bookstores. He taught things and stuffs, this and that about computers and anything related to it, but in my opinion, he taught best during the last days of his life about living life and living it to the full. Here are the best things he taught me through his book The Last Lecture.
- Write love notes or letters to dear people. Nowadays, it's very seldom to receive or even give people simple notes. It is the era of technology with emails and social networking rising on top. Text messaging are used to send messages even the most romantic ones. I like the idea of making notes very personalized. I still do write letters to my husband. I write a journal for my baby. And during special occasions, my husband would surprise me with cards and love letters. Nothing can still compare to that.
- Dream for your children. I do. I dream big for my son. I pray for him everyday. I declare the Lord's goodness and favor for and in his life. My husband and I create special memories for him even now that he is still a baby. We never know when we will be taken away from him so we are making the best out of each day. Randy Pausch did not worry about what he will miss after he's gone; he worried about his children losing their father.
- Stay humble. This is also a lesson that Randy Pausch learned from his father. For so many years no one in their family knew that at age 22, his father was given an award, the Bronze Star for Valor on 1945 for his bravery in giving medical care to wounded soldiers in his infantry during the war. They only found out about it after his death. What more can I say about humility?
- Love your spouse intensely. You have your own unique way of expressing your love to your spouse. I don't have to explain this point. But I just want to remind us not to let each day pass without saying 'I love you' to our beloved spouses.
- Time is more important than money. Understand that money can't buy you time. If money is hindering you to have quality time with your family or loved ones, then think not twice but wise. And remember that quality time is quantity time and vise versa. I praise God for a husband who understands the importance of time. Each millisecond counts.
- Live as if today is the last day. I feel sad for Jai, the wife of Randy Pausch. But I know they lived each day cherishing each other, and creating memories for their children. I want to live each day to the full. I want to live today as if the Lord is coming back already. I know at times I’m not able to maximize each day but I do what I can. I don’t have to be sick and count my days before I understand how crucial this is. And I want to live a worthy life because I want to leave a legacy.
- Leave a legacy. I want my son to live a Godly life. I want him to imitate the faith that I have so he can also pass it on to his next generation. That’s the legacy I want to impart. What is yours?