"The brick walls are there for a reason. They're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something." - Randy Pausch
Picture this: You're standing on a stage, the spotlight illuminating your face as you gaze out at your audience. This is your moment, your chance to share the profound life lessons.
But there's a twist - this is your last lecture. Your one and only opportunity to leave an indelible mark on the world.
This powerful tradition has taken college campuses by storm.
For Randy Pausch, a visionary computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, this hypothetical became a reality when faced with a terminal cancer diagnosis.
In an instant, the question of what genuinely mattered most transformed from a philosophical musing to an urgent, all-consuming truth.
The Last Lecture encapsulates the essence of Pausch's learnings and the legacy he yearned to bestow upon his children.
His lecture, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," wasn't a somber meditation on mortality.
It was a vibrant celebration of dreams because "time is all you have … and you may find one day that you have less than you think." Here is what Randy said …
I was trying to put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children. If I were a painter, I would have painted for them. If I were a musician, I would have composed music. But I am a lecturer. So I lectured.
I lectured about the joy of life, about how much I appreciated life, even with so little of my own left. I talked about honesty, integrity, gratitude, and other things I hold dear. And I tried very hard not to be boring.
Could the key to unlocking our true callings lie hidden in the very fascinations that enchanted us as children?
Those boundless curiosities, the subjects we could discuss endlessly, the pursuits that set our souls ablaze and made time evaporate?
These enduring fascinations are a map, guiding us towards our most profound purpose and heart's desires.
They are the universe's gentle nudges, steering us closer to the dreams already in our souls.
This week, let’s unravel these precious clues!
This Week’s Scare Your Soul Courage Challenge: Find Your Fascinations
Dust off your journal and embark on a nostalgic voyage through your memories. Compile an extensive list of the topics, passions, and moments that have ignited your curiosity through the years, no matter how disconnected or whimsical they may appear. Embrace the abundance and let your mind run wild!
Highlight the captivations that emerge as recurring themes, weaving through the tapestry of your life. These are the luminous beacons, the unmistakable signposts pointing directly to your true passion.
Approach these revelations with an inquisitive spirit, mining for the underlying patterns. Envision how these interests could be woven into your dream career or entrepreneurial venture. Which elements make your heart sing? How do they align with your core values and the indelible impact you aspire to make on the world?
Select one small, manageable way to infuse your daily life with a touch more of your quintessential fascination this week. Perhaps it's immersing yourself in a thought-provoking podcast during your commute or carving out a sacred half-hour to lose yourself in the activity that sets your soul on fire. Pay attention to the way your spirit soars when you grant yourself permission to prioritize what genuinely exhilarates you.
In courage and fascination,
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