Randy Pausch's Last Lecture

Professor Randy Pausch started his lecture by introducing the elephant in the room: his ten tumors. Then Pausch told us that he would not be talking about his cancer.
The thesis of The Last Lecture is to achieve your childhood dreams. Pausch believes we cannot change the cards we are dealt; just how we play the hand. The rest of the lecture is about his dreams he had as a child. Pausch knows it is important to have specific dreams.

Pausch's Childhood Dreams
1. Being in zero gravity.
2. Playing in the NFL
3. Authoring an article in the World Book Encyclopedia
4. Being Captain Kirk
5. Winning stuffed animals
6. Being a Disney Imagineer

Pausch found an opportunity to be in zero gravity. Then he hit a brick wall. The brick walls are there for a reason- to stop people who don't want it badly enough. Most people would have called it quits but Pausch kept trying and finally was able to be in zero gravity.
Pausch's desire to play in the NFL led him to a lot of life lessons. One practice his coach hassled him the whole time and later realized if someone isn't yelling at you when you've messed up then they've already given up on you.
Captain Kirk was a leader and Pausch believes Captain Kirk was a good role model for every young child. Obviously Pausch would never be Captain Kirk so he changed his dream to meeting him instead. Pausch believes it's okay to change your dreams Winning stuffed animals was also important to him because as a child he was always impressed by the big men carrying around huge stuffed animals at theme parks.
Pausch was initially denied as a Disney Imagineer. But a few years later he found an opportunity to work with the Imagineers. Pausch proved worthy and was offered a job as a Disney Imagineer. He declined. Being an Imagineer didn't fall into his life's path anymore.
Pausch mentioned toward the end of his lecture that none of this would have been possible without his parents. I really liked when he said that. He credited the people whom have inspired and taught him the most important life lessons.
It's inspiring to see Pausch so happy throughout the whole lecture. I believe that a truely satisfied person can be so happy when they know they are dying. Pausch indirectly taught me that no matter how bad the cards you've been dealt stink, you can always play a good hand. Persevering [your childhood dreams] is the most important message Pausch taught his audience. I think Professor Randy Pausch is a great role model for every teacher looking to make a difference in their students' lives.