The Last Lecture...

What will you want to do if you get to know that you have very little time left to live ????

A series known as THE LAST LECTURE, was organised every year, where a Carnegie Mellon Professor was asked to deliver, what would hypothetically be a last speech to the students, before dying. Randy Poush, a father of three small kids and a professor at Carnegie was asked for the same but the only difference was, he dint need to imagine he was going to face the inevitable death, in fact he was. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was detected with around 10 tumors in his lever. The Doctors had predicted 3 to 6 months of good health left, a months before the lecture.

The last lecture he delivered, was entitled as "ACHIEVING YOUR CHILDHOOD DREAMS".

The speech was not focused on death but LIVING EACH MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE AS IF ITS THE LAST. It is as inspirational as Randy himself was. He shared everything about how was his upbringing, what were his dreams, how he worked for his dreams and achieved them all. He shared what he learnt from his life, and how he made others to learn those things and helped them achieve their dreams. He shared some beliefs, what could be called the Mantras of Life. Being a Disney Imagineer himself, he taught his students the fundamentals of group work, Value of Dreaming Big, Art of apologizing, Results of at least giving a try by just asking for something that you badly desire, Never give up Attitude in life and many more. He cited several examples from his life, to make his point for everything he said.

The speech was not only for the ones present in the auditorium including his dear wife, but his kids. He desperately wished them to know that how their father was and how much he loved them. He wished, they must know that he will love them till the are alive and will always support whatever they choose to do in their life, if they want it passionately and work for it.

He said "EXPERIENCE IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU DON'T GET WHAT YOU WANTED".

It never seemed that he was a man with 10 tumors in his liver, with the way he was carrying himself and his family. He said "WE CANNOT CHANGE THE CARDS WE ARE DEALT,JUST HOW WE PLAY THE HAND". He was doing the same. He was busy collecting memories for his kids so that they know how their father used to live with them. The only thing eating him up was the thought of his kids without a father more than he wont be with them as a father. He believed Jai, his wife who supported him every time, will tell the kids about him and will bring them up in a great manner.

He treated every hurdle in his life as a brick wall, which made him passionate to break it soon. According to him, "THE BRICK WALLS ARE THERE TO GIVE US A CHANCE TO KNOW HOW BADLY WE WANT SOMETHING. IT IS THERE TO STOP THOSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT IT BADLY ENOUGH".

The zeal, attitude, passion, and art of living in his life can easily be felt reading this book and watching the video of his last lecture. It really is inspirational, a book that must be read.... or a video that must be watched...

The video can be watched at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

He lost the battle with pancreatic cancer on 25th July 2008 after his lecture in September 2007....

@ AHMEDABAD..

I reached Ahmedabad on 22nd December, to join the esteemed company TCS, as an Assistant System Engineer Trainee. The picture is of INFOCITY - Gandhinagar, where I am residing these days.The very first thing I noticed here is GREENERY and CLEANLINESS.Its a great place out here and I am really enjoying the new surroundings. The second thing I noticed is, HORRIBLE DRIVING and HORRIBLE DRIVERS.Literally, NO TRAFFIC RULES...lolzzzz.

My schedule has changed abruptly, but this is the way it goes. Initially, schedule was like suffocating.I felt my head so heavy, the first day i came back from office. Afterwards, it became easy. You need to adapt yourself in a new environment, with a smiling face. You never know, whats there in store for you next. My overall personality is on the way of change. I am more vocal now, with a greater confidence than I had. I can easily interact with people out here, and its so necessary, as you meet so many people every new day. It also gives you an opportunity to know their interest, learn new things that might be their area of experience, and indulge in discussions that gifts you a new vision. Its always said, "People learn the most through their experience and society instead of books or anything". I am learning Gujarati language, being in touch of so many Gujarati's here.I am really quick :) . Apart from the language, there are a lot of things you can learn from every new person you meet. And the same way I am also "learning happily".

After joining ILP, I was eager to overcome one of my weaknesses. I always expected so much from others and myself too, that hurt me really bad sometimes. With the advent of this new year, I asked myself not to expect anything from someone else. If they do, its well & good and if they don't, at least it won't be causing any difference to me. But, I am still bad with expecting from my own self.Its atleast better than expecting others. I am enjoying this change of mine, as I am more happy. It was not at all a resolution but a conscious effort on my part, to change my life.

Days are passing slowly. Last weekend, I went to ISKON Temple and I was mesmerised by the beautiful idols out there. Although, the temple was still in the phase of construction but it was great. I attended Tulsi Aarti and Krishna Aarti afterwards and my mind was so peaceful. I enjoyed my every moment in the temple.

I am getting to know the new place, new people apart from my technical and behavioral development. I don't know how I would be after this ILP ends, but I am sure about one thing that I am going to be a great performer and will pour all my efforts to create an everlasting impression of mine in everyone's eye. I will be having so many beautiful memories with me, when I will be completing my ILP and heading towards a new way of learning.