“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”

This phrase has remained etched in my mind since I first heard the ‘Last Lecture’ by Randy Pausch.

The ‘Last Lecture’ was part of a series where top academics are asked to think deeply about what matters to them, and then give a hypothetical “final talk”, with a topic such as “what wisdom  or message would you try to leave after you, if you knew it was your last chance?”

Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (1960 – 2008) gave this lecture at the university in September 2007.

When I feel I am facing a brick wall I watch the video and each time I discover and learn something new.  This guy was something special.

Only last night I discovered another video of a surprise return to Carnegie Mellon by Professor Randy Pausch to deliver another inspirational speech at the Commencement ceremony in May 2008.  It was not alone inspirational but so full of energy and fun.  If you have not seen them before I highly recommend that you watch them.  They are both quite long so you will need to allow about an hour for each

Elly & George, if you have not seen the second one, go for it on the big screen.