In a previous article I posted on another blog earlier this year, I gave accolades to Randy Pausch's  "last lecture."  A tradition in academia where a retiring professor gives a departing speech/lecture.  In 2006 Randy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  In August last year, he was told he likely had 3 to 6 months of good health remaining.  Yesterday, we heard the news that, regrettably, Randy passed away.

He left a legacy, though, in the inspirational messages he left in his last lecture.  Some key takeaways:

o  The purpose of barriers:  to weed out the things we don't want bad enough.
o  "Experience" is what you get when you don't get what you want.
o  Decide NOW if you're "Tigger" or "Eeyore."
o  Work and play well with others:
    -  Tell the truth
    -  If you scrw up, learn to apologize.
        .  "i'm sorry,"
        .  "It was my fault,"
        .  Ask:  "How can I make things right."
    -  No one is pure evil.  If you wait long enough, they'll show you their good side.
    -  Show gratitude.

I invite you to view Randy's last lecture.  An abridged version of his last lecture, given on Oprah's show, can be found here.

The unabridged last lecture can be found here.