I began reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch today an inspiring book that looks into the life of a man who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given 3-6 months to live. Rather than wallow in his sorrows he decided to take advantage of what time he had and make the most out of it. Most importantly he wanted to be able to leave behind something that his young children could remember him by which led to his "Last Lecture" that he gave to 400 people at Carnegie Mellon where he was a Professor. One of the more profound quotes that he makes is regarding the "brick walls" that we all face in life and why they are sometimes placed there. Here is what he had to say, "The brick walls are there for a reason, the brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something." In essence, if you want something bad enough there is nothing that can stop you from getting it not even a brick wall!!!
I cannot help but feel like I need to beat this cancer not only for myself but for my family and friends as well. Not only that, but as I look back on what I have accomplished so far in my life I know that there is so much more out there for me to do and see. I no longer want to just live my life day to day without setting and achieving new goals I want to make sure that I create a legacy, big or small, here on this Earth when I do leave it many many years from now! I plan on living my life with intention!
I have come to realize that life isn't just about materialistic things but about how you live it and what you do with it. I am not saying that I don't want to be able to afford nice things, what I am trying to say is that having those nice things are not the be all end all. There is so much more out there in this world than a big house and a nice car in the garage. I want to see other countries and learn about different cultures first hand. I want to help people that are in need rather than just helping myself. I want to give back as much to this world as I have taken from it and that is what I plan on doing from here on out! But first I must break through this brick wall that I am facing right now!
***If you have a chance I highly recommend reading The Last Lecture or at least watching the video of the lecture that he gave, I know that the video is a little long (1 hour +) but in my opinion it can give you a great insight on how life is supposed to be lived and how you can achieve your dreams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo or you can watch the reprised version he did on Oprah which is much shorter at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8577255250907450469
***Thank you Nani Janet very much for giving me this book, it has been an inspiration...
6 comments:
Dearest Alika,
The path is lit ....now follow your dreams ! Uncle Bill and I are with you every step of the way...we can't wait for the wonderous ride !!! But most of all, thank you for being such a special and important part of our lives !
We love you and miss you,
Nani xxoo
i'd like to read it. will you be done by this weekend so you can loan it to me? can't wait to see you!! let's plan a "fun" day! i think we both could use it!! i just worked a 12 hr day and have to back at work at 5am! heather is making me dinner and then i'm off to bed..love you! xoxo.
Wow Alika .... you look wonderful! Clearly you are beating this thing. You look so strong and handsome. And your eyes just jump off the page, with a sparkle or a look that's telling all of us reading your blog that you are going to be just fine.
Thank you for that, you are really something else .. I don't know how you do it, but you do, with every entry on your insightful and thoughtful blog. I read this one over and over again.
Sending you much Aloha! Lee
P.S.
Seems Mac isn't the only great writer in the family!!
Hi Shmeeeeks!
I just bought that book! I shall move it to the top of my list of books to read next.
Miss you lots!
Leslie
brutha, great words of wisdom n inspiration, cuz u know what, when u leave this world many, many, many years from now, all those nice things ain't gonna cry for u. fyi, as master p would say, "i'm missin my homie"... take care brother
much luv,
dave
Hi, Alika.
I visit your blog daily to learn updates. I'm so glad you are doing this because you will know how far-flung across the globe are those of us who are thinking about you. I rummaged through my old photo albums and found a picture of you at five years. It now has a new home taped to my computer screen ... sort of like an amakua to embody great spirits and much aloha for you (I am, after all, nothing more than an aged hippie!)I also discovered a pictue of Malia at 10 1/2 and a shot off your dad taken just a day or two before I left Hawaii for Minnesota. The surfing here sucks, especially from mid-May to April when Lake Superior kicks up some short rides as long as you have a three-inch coating of neopreme and can handle walking barefoot across the jagged ice to get to the water. My son Jason starts in late May doing 3000 strokes on his Gerry Lopez board across local lakes just to keep in shape. At 42 he can still outsurf his childhood buddies from Aina Haina and hangs out with Doug Lock, who owns Wet Feet. I didn't ruin his life by bringing him here ... just almost. I am hoping you can meet him in the Islands someday soon and do some paddleboarding together. Meanwhile, dig deep and stay on the wave of care and love coming your way from all of us out here.
Love to, to your sister, mom and dad and everyone praying for your speedy return to wellness.
Aloha, Geoff Bush
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