Continuing with my series of inspirational books, here's one about and by a Professor of Computer Science in Carnegie Mellon University who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2007 and given 3-6 months of quality life left. So what you might say - it's not a very rare disease and once metastasized, incurable.
Prof Pausch however chooses to fight back ... by living life the way it is meant to be lived. The book derives it's name from an old practice in some US univs where a professor delivers a lecture as if it were the last of his life, thus getting more into the values and philosophy of what is important - really - in life. Except that in this case of course he is really heading down that road. The book brings smiles, laughs, cheers, tears, fears and aspirations to life as you begin to empathise fully with the man. And no he is not full of sympathy for himself. He's obviously in love with life - both the notion of life and the various experiences it offers him - yet in a very philosophical way, accepts what it tosses at him and goes for the best that it can offer under the circumstances.
Taught me a lot about managing hardship, that book. You think you got a problem in life? When you see what this guy is up against, you'll realise pretty much how insignificant some problems can be. Read it and enjoy.
Incidentally if you are interested you can also access www.thelastlecture.com Lots of background material also there. And on youtube, search for Randy Paugh to hear one of his lectures a month or two back at Carnegie Mellon.
And yes, the prof is still alive, 9 months after the prognosis ... and quality of life seems quite good ... here's praying the good professor never gives up the fight.
Monday, June 2, 2008
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