It amazes me the fact that I never need to go after inspiration to write here... and it is also great that it comes fom a series of different places... It can be from something I read, something I see, something that happens to me, a conversation with a friend... It really does not matter, all it matters is that it does come and I get to do one of my favorite things... Write here...
We all complain about a lot of little things in life... lack of money, lack of things, we have to walk too much, to drive too much, I have to study a lot, I'm bored, I don't have anything to do and so on... Granted that any of those complaints can be valid within a certain context... However, once in a while something happens that makes us put it all in perspecive and simply appreciate all we have...
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch, is dying from pancreatic cancer, He gave his last lecture at the university in Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his amazingly moving talk, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and helped people look at their own lives differently.
(More info on: www.cmu.edu/randyslecture)
His outcome in life is inspiring and even though he is dying and is gonna leave behind his wife and three kids, he has taken upon himself to leave behind his view of life...
I watched his appearence on Oprah (Thanks to Jacob... :D), which was a small part of his full lecture... That was what inspired me to come here and write...
He gave his "last lecture", which is some sort of tradition amonsgt professors... It's the last lecture they would give if they knew they didn't have much more time to live... In Randy's case, that is actually the reality...
It made me think about my "last lecture"... granted that I have never given a lecture, but it made me think about what lessons I have learned in life and what would be my legacy...
I don't compare my life to his of course... but, I have learned in first hand about a lot of things he talks about... never give up, live life with a smile, have fun...
I was diagnosed with Poli arthritis Reumatoid when i was 11... It is an inflamation of the joints, in my case ALL joints (I know I know... old people's disease... what can I do lol)...
I went from practicing pratically any sport out there, to not being able to simply ride a bike... It was hard and the pain was tough to deal with... However, I never let it get me down, I never let it take over me, I was always a happy kid... Despite the other kids, who were not very helpful... always making fun of me for limping and stuff like that... I got through it... and had a few other obstacles as well... There was a time no one believed I was gonna be able to work, drive... I was supposed to be in wheelchair... None of that took charge of my life... I did it all... I was a teacher for 6 years, I can drive (and love it) and no, Im not in a wheel chair... I have limitations, but they dont make me who I am... I own the disease, not the other way around...
Don't feel sorry for me... I am thankful to the disease nowdays, it helpped me become the person I am today... an I really like that person... :)
Life is supposed to be lived with a smile... Sometimes there are some not so great moments, but a good attitude can go the distance... Friends and family make all the difference and I am forever grateful to mine... I live life as fully as I can... everyday is a new adventure and there are no obstacles I can't surpass...
Take a look at Randy's lecture... It is life changing at the least:
Ps: no music today... The lecture sings enough :)
Monday, May 5, 2008
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Wow, so many things to say, where do you begin?
I'll pick randomly, the "last lecture" tradition. I'm an avid fan of Terry Pratchett's "Discworld" series of books. In them when a wizard is facing death he knows it and has time to make arrangements. Sure, being satirical books what most wizards do is borrow large amounts of money knowing they never have to pay back, but every now and again one of them WOULD step up and deliver a speech, his own eulogy if you'd like. Didn't know it's a real life practice... and what a practice it is.
As for your take on your disease... it's, I guess coincidence but still... few days ago I was reading in a magazine I like to read about a person suffering from an ailment or other which inhibits him physically to the point that he has to sit and rest after climbing a single flight of stairs. Not an easy condition to leave with. What he said was exactly, word by word, what you just said: He owned the disease, he said, not the other way around. He though of it as his friend, reminding him that while he is impaired... he is alive, loved by his family and friends, cared for, caring for others... I was dumb struck, this man actually calling a horrifying disease his "silent" friend.
I read stories like his, like yours and you know what... I feel ashamed for feeling sorry for myself. Heck, maybe it's about time I started doing things for me as well, fighting my disease, which is not physical but... something else I guess. Yeah, It is.
Amazing.
And thanks for the kick on the behind... I need it every once in a while.
Thank you very much.