Randy Pausch, the professor of Computer Science, gave a lecture called ‘Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams’ for the students of Carnegie Mellon University. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; his life was put at stake and his last address to the public is aimed at disclosure the real sense of life and key steps to reach one’s outrageous dreams and goals. His speech appeared to be expressive and emotional giving an opportunity to feel the professor’s life experience and depth perception.
The lecture was held in the humorous manner avoiding tragic and depressive aspects; the author highlighted education in engineering and computer science spheres combining it with person’s life goals to be compulsorily achieved. Throughout the speech the professor was constantly repeating that he was in a good shape not concentrating on death concept as the negative life element. This lecture was the professor’s last chance to share his experience and knowledge with the world and reflect personal vision of the meaningful life which should be lived in harmony with everyone who surrounds you. Professor Randy stated that people are happy when they do not complain and receive feedback from others; everyone should work hard and be prepared for everything. People are to make use of every chance given to them in life and spend every moment with the benefits for others. His lecture appeared to be areal inspiration to many watchers; the professor highlighted his principles of life and attitude to death.
The professor tried not to focus on the ways of coping with death, but on the steps to be done in life. He tried to explain the importance of child dreams fulfillment through disclosing his personal ones. He disclosed his life stages stressing that most of his childhood dreams came true. ‘Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something. (Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, 2007) His perception of life cannot be considered as objective; the professor was under the influence of death feeling and stressed the fact that everyone is given only one chance for life, for a successful one.
The professor wanted to prove to everyone that people should not live awaiting, but acting every possible moment in order not to miss the chance of dreams realized. But according to his lecture, people do not always have the right of choice, ‘We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand’. (Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, 2007) People are never promised tomorrow and cannot constantly control every step of their life.
Professor tried to meet his death in the harmony with his family. He showed that his time has already come and all the dreams he was to fulfill came true. The authors perceive his speech as the inspiration for the better future as the professor managed to prove that only we are to decide how to live and what to do in order to make our life happy and successful.
Professor’s humorous manner of lecture presentation made the speech promising and inspiring; Randy Pausch stressed that the most important in life is family and making their life happy will compulsory make happy everyone.
References
Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. 2007. Web.