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The Greatest Gift: Living Life With Happiness, Purpose and Passion

This holiday season, put some thought into what matters most.

I just finished reading Randy Pausch’s book, The Last Lecture.  Randy Pausch was a professor at Carnegie Mellon University who had been asked to give a lecture on what mattered most to him. At the time, students and faculty weren’t aware that it would actually be a “last lecture” as he had been recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. What resulted was one of the most powerful and inspirational talks, not about dying, but about living and achieving your dreams.

Pausch’s lecture was about the importance of overcoming obstacles: “Brick walls aren’t there to keep us out, they’re there to show us how much we really want something.” It was about enabling the dreams of others, and seizing every moment. His talk was a summation of everything he had come to believe and gratitude for those who had brought his life purpose and meaning. It was a celebration of life, a life well lived.
 
Pausch’s book made me reflect on what’s truly important in my life. They say most people can’t list 10 things that make them happy so I endeavoured to make a “happy list.”  My list confirmed that helping others, hope and affirmation, to love and be loved, family and friendship is what really matters to me. There was nothing material on my list. It made me realize the insignificance of the stuff we get caught up in with the busyness of daily life.
 
This holiday season take the time to reflect on your dreams and what truly makes you happy. Give a gift to yourself and make your own “happy list” – it puts a whole new spin on the term “A” list!
 
Peace & happiness,
Ceilidh Millar
 

Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture