I watched a video today that was so inspiring and perspective altering that I wanted to post it, not only to share it with others, but also to have it in a handy place so I could remind myself of it again and again.  This man's story made me feel heartbroken on one hand and envious on the other.  He understood what life was about, and he shared that wisdom freely.  I've posted the video and my favorite quotes taken directly from the video.  A-MaZ-ing. (By the way, if you don't have time to watch the whole hour...watch the beginning and ending of the video, they are the most potent...)

WATCH Randy Pausch's Last Lecture:

My Favorite Randy Pausch Quotes:


"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 us 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’re there to stop the other people."
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

"The key question to keep asking is, Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have. "
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

"Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other."
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

"Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. "
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

"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."
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)


"Find the best in everybody. Wait long enough, and people will surprise and impress you. It might even take years, but people will show you their good side. Just keep waiting."
— Randy Pausch

"When there’s an elephant in the room introduce him."
— Randy Pausch

"Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome."
— Randy Pausch

"Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore?"
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

"My (football) 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."
— Randy Pausch

"Go out and do for others what somebody did for you."
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

"When you’re screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore that means they’ve given up on you…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."
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)


"You don't beat the grim reaper by living longer; you beat the grim reaper by living better."
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)


"Never Lose the Child-like wonder.
 Help Others. You can’t get there alone.
Tell the truth.
Be earnest.
Apologize when you screw up.
Focus on others, not yourself. "
— Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)

Want to know the rest of his story and how the last year of his life was spent? Check out these sites I found with that info written by him:
Randy's website 
More about his journey