What kind of legacy will you leave when you die?

An old philosopher once said that death is what defines our lives; that the idea that we WILL die helps to shape our destinies.  In other words, if we knew we were immortal we wouldn’t act in the same way, wouldn’t have the same hopes, dreams and fears, and wouldn’t have the same sense of urgency to do things and get things done.  It is how we move towards our deaths that shapes our lives. 

I just watched this amazing lecture on the internet.  It was given by a dying professor, just diagnosed with terminal cancer, who knows he has anywhere from 3 to 6 months left to live.  I don’t know if any of you have seen the episode on Oprah where he appeared (shortly after this lecture), but if you had you would know just how bright, dynamic and full of life this man is.  Ironic that a man about to die has more zest than many who are going to live for a long time.  I suppose it is that inevitability that allows him to make a choice to live what remains of his life to the fullest. 

Here is the talk.  I strongly encourage all of you to watch the entire thing.  It’s worth the time.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184

God bless you, Randy Pausch.  May you live forever in the hearts of many.