[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BODHsU3hDo4[/youtube]

Ahhh, the summer sun, beach trips, picnics at the park … What a wonderful time of year, but summer will always remind me of something more than lazy summer days. It brings to my mind the life of a man who to me was a true hero. I never knewhim, but Randy Pausch was, without a doubt, the epitome of an eternal optimist. If you haven’t heard of him, you are certainly missing an amazing inspirational icon! Randy Pausch died July 25, 2008, but his legacy will live on for generations to come. To keep his spirit alive, each summer I like to take a moment to remind my friends of this amazing man.

If you follow my blog, you know my heart and my passion. Too many people go through the motions of their lives without ever discovering that spark that ignites the spirit. You have theresourcesto live your dreams, andre-discovering your childhood passion, may be the key to unlocking the door to your own passion. Perception is reality and when you believe in yourself, you can make the choice to live your life to the fullest. That doesn’t mean that every moment will be golden! Life was never meant to be on an even keel and no one can escape the inevitable tragedies and pain that sometimes grip our souls. But living in the adversities or wallowing in those moments sucks you into a smothering quicksand where nothing thrives.

If ever there was a person who could have wallowed in self-pity, it was Randy Pausch, yet despite his diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer, he spent his life inspiring millions of people world wide. The first time I heard his “Last Lecture” I realized my problems were so trivial in the scheme of things––and I think that is how it is with most people. We all have our stories . . . the “stuff” that happens to us is hard to go through, but if you are reading this blog post, you’re ahead of the game––you are ALIVE, and that means you still have a chance to make a difference in your life––and the lives of others! I’m convinced you don’t have to look very far to find a lot of other people who are worse off than you. So be thankful for all that you do have and reach for the stars.

Please take the time to listen to the words of Randy Pausch. I consider you all friends, and my greatest wish for you is to discover thatLife is now. The past is a myriad of old memories and we put so much stock into those memories, we limit our own futures. Hopes and dreams are a glimpse of what could be, but now is where we always are so it is the journey, not the destination that is our lives.

So on this warm August evening, I have to stop for a moment to say, “Thank you Randy . . . you will live in the hearts of the millions you have touched forever!”

Casi

Sources: The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch, Oprah Winfrey Show, July 25,2008, Youtube

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