It happened a couple of weeks ago. I actually shed tears for a man I’d never met before. Or had I. For in just one video, I knew more about him, his life, his dreams and his legacy than I knew about most of my friends.
His name was Dr. Randy Pausch. Many of you are nodding your head right about now. Perhaps because you saw one of his inspiring lectures on YouTube.com. Or maybe you saw him on one of the Diane Sawyer specials. Or maybe you saw him on Oprah. Or maybe you just noticed a change in how a friend or family member relates to you now.
If you’ve never met the man, allow me to introduce you to him. He passed away July 25, 2008. You can view his entire “Last Lecture” on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
At first glance, you wonder why more than six million people have viewed a stuffy, boring lecture from a Carnegie Mellon professor. Well, mainly because it’s not stuffy and boring — rather inspiring, touching and life-impacting. And as I write this, I’m listening to it again — probably my fourth time.
Now this isn’t a typical three to five minute YouTube video. This one is longer than an episode of CSI — a full hour and sixteen minutes. But I encourage you to watch it.
Employers, you could do worse things than to let your employees start their Mondays by watching this in its entirety. Rather than an hour plus of downtime, you may just find your employees have a new electricity of passion, energy and purpose driving them every day.
Fathers and mothers, you must watch it. For it will remind you in a very humorous, yet poignant way, what it’s all about.
And for those of you, like Randy Pausch at the time of the lecture, who may be dying — hint, hint, we’re all approaching death faster with each passing day — it will help you to live.
That’s what Dr. Randy Pausch taught me — how best to live. It was he that said, “I don’t know how to not have fun. I’m dying and I’m having fun.”
I’m having fun too. Thank you Randy.
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