Randy Pausch (1960 - 2008)
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“Don't bail; the best pieces of gold are at the bottom of the barrel of crap.” - Randy Pausch
This week, out of the blue, my name somehow landed on the mailing list of a photographer that I know casually, because we both post pictures on the same website, BetterPhoto.com. The photographer is Usman Bajwa, and being on his mailing list this week has turned out to be, if not a life changing experience, certainly a life molding one. It has affected me so deeply, in fact, that I want—no—need to share it with all of you. If you have already seen the video, you are lucky, because it may have, in a poignant way, “saved” the rest of your life. If not, please make time: one hour and sixteen minutes and look at it. Find a quiet place. Make yourself comfortable, sit back, have your shades handy. You are about to see some gleaming, sparkling SILVER!
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On September 18, 2007, Carnegie Mellon professor and alumnus Randy Pausch delivered a one-of-a-kind last lecture (his body was wracked with cancer, and he was dying) that made the world stop and pay attention. It became an internet sensation viewed by millions, an international media story, and a best-selling book that has been published in 35 languages. To this day, people everywhere continue to talk about Randy, share his message and put his life lessons into action in their own lives.Randy Pausch’s Last Lecture (YouTube)
Randy died July 25, 2008, at the age of 47.
I’m not going to write very much of my own words here. The lecture speaks loudly for itself. But in case you can’t find the time to look at it now, I’m going to insert some quotes from Randy below. If you are unemployed, frustrated, depressed, or if your self confidence has taken a hit, please watch it. If you looked at it before, but it has been a while, please watch it again. And then pass the link above on to the people you care about.
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Michelle
Quotations from Randy
- "Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough…”
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Michelle Alton |
- "Luck is where preparation meets opportunity."
- "When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they've given up on you. That lesson has stuck with me my whole life. When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody's bothering to tell you anymore, that's a bad place to be. You may not want to hear it, but your critics are often the ones telling you they still love you and care about you, and want to make you better."
- "When there’s an elephant in the room introduce him."
- "When we're connected to others, we become better people."
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- “Don’t complain; just work harder.”
- "Too many people go through life complaining about their problems. I've always believed that if you took one tenth the energy you put into complaining and applied it to solving the problem, you'd be surprised by how well things can work out."
- "Find the best in everybody. Just keep waiting no matter how long it takes. No one is all evil. Everybody has a good side, just keep waiting, it will come out."
- "A good apology is like antibiotic, a bad apology is like rubbing salt in the wound."
- "I'm sorry. It's my fault. How do I make it right?”
- "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer."
- "It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you."
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- "There are more ways than one to measure profits and losses."
- "The person who failed often knows how to avoid future failures. The person who knows only success can be more oblivious to all the pitfalls."
- "No job is beneath you. You ought to be thrilled you got a job in the mailroom And when you get there, here's what you do: Be really great at sorting mail."
- "You cannot change the cards you are dealt, just how you play the hand."
- "He had high hopes for society, and though his hopes were too often dashed, he remained a raging optimist."
- "My coach knew there was only one way to develop self esteem): You give children something they can't do, they work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the process."
- "Want to have a short phone call with someone? Call them at 11:55 a.m., right before lunch. They'll talk fast. You may think you are interesting, but you are not more interesting than lunch."
- "It's not helpful if we spend every day dreading tomorrow." ~Jai
- "And even though I did not reach the NFL, I sometimes think I got more from persuing that dream, and not accomplishing it, then I did from many of the ones I did accomplish."
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- “Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.”
- “It’s such a shame that people perceive you as so arrogant. Because it’s going to limit what you’re going to be able to accomplish in life.”
- “I’ll take an earnest person over a hip person every day, because hip is short term. Earnest is long term.”
- "Focus on other people, not yourself."
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Michelle Alton |
- “Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.”
- “Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.”
- “Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.”
- “Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.”
- “Try to make at least three people smile each day.”
- “Dream more while you are awake.”
- “Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.”
- “If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.”
Please watch the video, even if you have seen it before!
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If you have a moment, I think about now you might enjoy my Best of Floral Photographs slideshow, and the gorgeous background vocal by the late, brilliant Eva Cassidy. And if you have another moment, I'd love to hear what you think about it. Thanks for looking!
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Michelle
