The book, The Last Lecture (Hyperion. New York. 2008), is literally what the title suggests. It’s about Professor Randy Pausch’s final lecture at Carnegie Mellon University prior to his death. I saw the lecture live on DVD and then decided to read the book. Dr. Pausch was a young man—less than 50 years of age. Sadly, he had three small children he would not live to see grown. This meant he would not be there to give those important lectures as a father. The Last Lecture on film and book were a means of communicating to his children the things in life that really matter. In short, it’s not the years in your life span but the life in those years and how you live them that really count. As someone said, “All men die but not all men truly live.” Too many people worry about dying when they should be investing every moment in making the most out of the life they have. Not many people are remembered for how long they lived but for what they did within the life-span they had. 

In the book, Dr. Pausch makes this statement; “Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.” You may want to live to be 99 but are told you have inoperable cancer at 55. Obviously, barring a miracle, you won’t get what you wanted, but think of all the experiences you can cram into a 55-year life span! I think of Paul’s words regarding how he repeatedly sought the Lord for His intervention in a specific area of need (See 2 Corinthians 12). Though Paul did not get what he wanted, he had experiences he benefited from. He experienced the glory of God and revelations, etc. In Paul’s opinion, these were actually of greater worth than getting what he initially wanted. 

If you aren’t getting what you want out of life, try looking at the experiences you are benefiting instead. The trial hasn’t ended like you had hoped, but look at what you’ve learned about patience. Your dream marriage may not be perfect, but look at how much you have learned about communication. Experience is what we get when we didn’t get what we wanted. Wow! 

Tim Whistine

The author may be contacted at mindset2succeed@yahoo.com.

Filed under: REgroup