Randy Pausch Story - May 1st 2021

 I am particularly impressed by Professor Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. The fact that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given a few weeks to live but still gave this lecture in high spirit, says something of his character. This Professor of Computer Science was able to achieve so many of his childhood dreams for several reasons. Two of these is striking.

1. HELP FROM OTHERS

    Professor Pausch did not just go solo in achieving his dreams. He recognized that he needed the help of others in achieving his dreams. When he was working on any project, he sought out help from those who knew better than him. He invited them for lunch. During the lunch date, he asked lots of questions about what he did not know and got lots of answers. He was humble enough to do that and got lots of help.

2. NEVER GIVE UP

Professor Pausch had a lot of disappointments and set back in accomplishing his dreams. But he never gave up on his dreams. Disappointment never discouraged him from pursuing his dreams. In describing how to view setbacks, disappointments, obstacles, he made the following statement that is absolutely true and made an impression on me: "But remember, the brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people.

DO YOU FEEL THAT DREAMING IS IMPORTANT?

Absolutely! Without dreams, there is nothing to accomplish. Dreaming is like building a house. Before building a house you contract an architect who prepares the architectural drawing of the house. The drawing shows exactly how the house will look like when it is built. The drawing is the imaginative display of the architect or the owner of the proposed house. The architectural drawing is then given to the Construction Engineer who brings the house to life. Makes it a reality. No drawing no house.

MY CHILDHOOD DREAM

I have the childhood dream to travel to all the continents of the world. I am in the process of accomplishing that dream. I was born in Nigeria. I have travelled to most of the countries in Africa. I have been to several countries in Europe. I live in North America now. I have South America, Asia, and further part Australia to go. I know I will cover the whole continent of the world in the nearest future.