Living, Quitting, & Childhood Dreams

The Last Lecture (by Randy Pausch)

I just finished reading this book, and it was great. Randy imparted so much useful and practical wisdom that would definitely come in handy for anyone. I benefited a lot from this book. I was inspired by how he lived his life. Although his life is shortened, he has done so much more than someone who lives up to a hundred. He fulfilled his childhood dream and more.

I seriously cannot remember many of my childhood dreams. I know for sure that I haven't fulfilled many or any of them. Like many, "life" got in the way of fulfilling many dreams. A couple of dreams I do remember were to be an astronaut and to be a professional athlete. At this point, I don't think I'm in any position to be either of those, but I'm still hopeful for the latter dream. I just need to get off my butt and start exercising.

I feel like I have wasted a lot of time doing nothing and doing things that do not matter in the long run. I was really challenged by how he approaches a brick wall. For most, the natural reaction is to complain and even quit. Randy brought up a very good point... "The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something." Because if we really want it badly, that brick wall, whatever it is, will not stop us from getting to the other side.

I'm ashamed to admit that I have the tendency towards quiting when things get tough. I also find myself complaining a lot when things are not going my way. This book made me rethink how I approach things in my life, and it's the fuel I need to get out of complacency and mediocrity.

"We don't beat the reaper by living longer, but by living well, and living fully — for the reaper will come for all of us. The question is: what do we do between the time we're born and the time he shows up." (Randy Pausch)