'The Last Lecture'

This assignment is probably one of the hardest, emotionally, that I have had to complete. My father passed away from lung cancer April 15 of this year and this lecture and Randy's book was the epitome of how he wanted us to live our lives after he was gone. My parents sent me Randy's book last year and said I should read it on the plane before I got there. It was my first visit back to Illinois after we found out Dad's diagnosis. I read the entire book on the plane (the first quarter of it in the Pensacola airport at 4am by the light of my cell phone) and found that I couldn't put it down. It was moving, inspirational, heartbreaking, and hilarious all at the same time. I found myself sitting there laughing and crying with mascara smeared down my cheeks and a nose that I couldn't get to stop running.

In his lecture, Randy talks about the use of the 'head fake.' This symbolism is probably the most clever and usable technique. By showing those you look to teach what you would like them to learn, but in a form that they want to experience it becomes a win win situation. You end up getting your point across, knowledge is achieved and they didn't even realize it happened yet all who are involved are aware of what just happened- at the end. Teaching, and life as well, isn't about what you are saying but how you say it. He brings up a very good point when discussing this topic as well. It plays into the 'head fake' technique but in a wording sense instead of a physical.

Randy brings up some key points to incorporate in life and teaching I believe as well. Have fun! Life should always be about having a good time. Those students and people in general that are having fun are better receptacles to the learning process and just being social in general. It allows you to be more open minded and creative overall. Help others! This life is not about number one. There are a million other people on the planet and if we all just gave a little everyone and everything would be so much better off. Believe! Believe in other people, in your students. To know that someone truly believes in you can make all the difference in the world to that person. It may not seem like it's that huge to you that you believe in them, but to that person it may mean the world. And you may change their life because of it.

He brings up brick walls multiple times in his lecture. I believe this is for a reason. In the beginning he states they're there so we can prove how badly we want things. Towards the end, however, he brings it up again. It kind of mirrors life. You aren't just going to hit one brick wall, so when you hit the first one- he states the reason being, prove what you want. When life comes around with the second, third, fourth etc- REMEMBER! Be dedicated, prove that you want it!

At the end Randy gives a lot of key points to use in life that again spill over into his teaching methods. He states to do the right thing and good things will follow. Throughout his life he appears to be an honest and hardworking individual that made mistakes, learned from them and moved on. His life has been tremendously blessed because he did right by others and didn't live his life selfishly. Cherish the feedback you get from others and actually use it. People who truly care about you and your success don't say things to hinder you, but to help you. Gratitude is probably one of the most overlooked virtues one can possess. An acknowledgement of something done well or just saying how thankful you are and that you appreciate someone or something is the simplest, yet most tremendous, thing you can do to effect another person. This is hard for many people to do. When you can overcome your own pride and show more gratitude you see the world in a whole other light and you'll begin to see how your change effects those around you. He states to not complain but work harder. This is so true. No one is going to give you a handout. Complaining is not going to get anything accomplished, but hard work, sweat, perseverance, determination, now that will get you somewhere. Become valuable by being good at something. We all have talents and in finding those talents, and using/harnessing them, we find 'the gold at the bottom of all the crap.'

Overall, I think the most valuable thing he points out is to find the best in everyone. It doesn't matter how long it takes or how bad of a person they are, but to keep in mind everyone has something good inside of them. When you're frustrated with someone or can't understand them this is a great outlook. We all have good attributes but sometimes they get clouded or we become mislead and simply need time to find our way back. By keeping in mind that everyone has something good to offer is a very optimistic way to relate to people and at the same time believe in them without even knowing you were doing it.

Papa, this one was for you. And, yes, we're trying.