Last night at about 1AM I finished reading ‘The Last Lecture’ by Randy Pausch. I have to admit it has been a long while since I have found a book I simply could not put down but Randy’s was just that. I had watched video’s of Randy on YouTube and www.thelastlecture.com and my one regret about finding this book and it’s companion video is that I did not find it while the author/speaker was still alive. I found myself motivated by the mans courage and conviction through his journey.  Randy inspired millions both prior to and after his death from pancreatic cancer by reminding people of the importance of childhood dreams. He inspired his students at Carnagee Mellon University to think outside the box and taught them how to relate to one another and the world in a positive manner and taught them that anything was possible if you just dream.Â
Granted this book and video may not be suitable for all ages of children, and it has a few twists and turns but my favorite quote in the whole book is this, “…The brick walls are there to stop people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop other people.” This book is truly a road map a guide of sorts aimed to his own children for seeking out your dreams whatever they may be and recognizing them when they come to fruition.Â
Randy Pausch worked on some wonderful projects in his time from the Aladdin ride with Disney Imagineers to meeting with people who are known as being great in their fields but, perhaps the most wonderful creation, the one that will go on to give and keep giving was a project known as Alice… Alice is a free programming interface geared at helping young people get their first taste of computer programming in an environment that is fun and will keep them interested. I have downloaded one version of the Alice program aimed at younger students which allows them to create worlds and write animated stories based on these worlds while learning difficult programming concepts they don’t even realize they have learned. I highly recommend this program to any homeschooler who wants their students to learn any type of computer programming. It is available free of charge along with textbooks (minimal charge) from www.thelastlecture.com.Â
I know one day 4 years ago the dream of homeschooling my children seemed impossible to obtain, there were many brick walls in front of me as a single mother… but they couldn’t keep me out. What brick walls are in your path?Â
I was so inspired by this book I would like to offer one copy to a reader. Leave a comment telling us about one brick wall you have faced in your homeschool journey or life journey and I will enter your name in the draw. The draw will take place August 11, 2010.Â
Blessings,
Karrie
6 Users Responded in " Randy Pausch…The Last Lecture "
Mr. Pausch sounds like a remarkable man. When you mentioned the dream aspect and brick wall, well, this is huge to us, but we want a small farmette of our own to grow beef, garden, and have enough room for visitors and such. We’ve moved around all our married life (30 yrs) due to jobs and don’t have the money — I’m a firm believer in miracles and also in doing work and I want to stop moving! Thanks for posting this!
Sounds oddly like some of my own brick walls Deb. I have worked contract work most of my life and moved around considerably. Thankfully I seem to have settled a bit in recent years! Keep praying and working hard, like Randy says we never know when we will realize our dreams or when they will be made reality but they usually are. I will enter you into the draw for his book! God Bless, Karrie
I found your blog through your mother’s newsletter, Heart Of Wisdom. Randy Pausch was (still is really) so amazing. What a gift he gave his children, and the world, with his words and the way he lived his life..all the way to the end.
Good luck with your magazine. I am a retired teacher. We did not homeschool our children. Things were so differed ‘back then’. These days I very well might!
I have a couple of blogs too…I just like to stay busy and love new ventures. You may find my newest blog helpful in your homeschooling ventures. I would appreciate a comment there to help ‘kick it off’ if you are willing.
Most of this blog is imported from an older more established one, hence the dates are all the place. Thank you and I wish you the best.
Sandra
This year I am using your the well planned day planner. I have attempted to use many different planners, but I must say yours is by far my favorite and most economical. The way it is laid out makes using it very easy and it REALLY works.
My son is also using the well planned middle schooler.
I linked to your site in this post.
http://thepueblaponderosa.blogspot.com/2010/06/great-link.html
Blessings to your family.
I too am a single parent who decided to homeschool. The biggest brick wall in my life was when I went to a doctor for lab results and he asked if anyone else was with me. I had cancer. It was the longest drive home of my life and I don’t even remember getting in the car. I was 17yrs old. For a month that wall hid the sun, and left me alone in darkness. Then one day I got up and looked at a sky covered in rain clouds, took a long breath and said, “Well, (Lord) I am gonna leave it in your hands, I will do what the doctors say, but Please don’t make my parents suffer.” The wall crumbled a few bricks at a time at first, because faith is powerful. In Remission for almost 2 decades. When it came to homeschooling my kids there was no wall, just a form to be filled out. My dream is to never let work and money mean more to me than family and faith. So far, so good.
We are in prayer to adopt to add to our family. We are praying through some of our own brick walls right now, all coming down to finances. But God gave us this dream, so we are still dreaming…and praying.
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