Like so many of you, this week I watched Diane Sawyer’s
Celebration of Life for Randy Pausch. It’s a story we’ve all followed, whether on YouTube or mainstream media, or even at the bookstore. His “Last Lecture” has had an impact that reaches so far beyond its first audience at Carnegie Mellon.
As Larry and I watched, Kleenex at hand, we drew amazing strength from Randy’s wife
Jai when she shared the mantra that’s become second nature during these last few months: “I have everything I need.” “Do you really believe that,” asked Diane. And Jai went on to explain that while she was certainly not happy about Randy’s diagnosis, she had accepted it. Together, they had made a conscious choice to spend their remaining time together not angry at the world they found themselves in, but making small memories that would last a lifetime that would not include Randy’s presence. Having everything they needed, right now.
What a gift, to affirm that in the face of whatever happens, “I have everything I need.” Many times I’ve heard that quote - happiness isn’t about getting what you want, but about wanting what you have. I realize that, to me, that translates into living life each day so you love the life you live NOW. Not putting off till tomorrow. Not waiting for ‘someday.’ Not waiting until whatever-it-is happens. But living the life you want now, every day, showing up in small ways that matter to you.
My husband and I call it the ‘Mack truck theory.’ We all hope to be blessed with long lives and much happiness, but you never know when you could hop on the highway and get smacked by that proverbial Mack truck. Chatting with my friend Eileen today, she reminded me, “You know, life gives us all kinds of Mack trucks.” Yours may not be a terminal prognosis like Randy Pausch. (I hope not!) But you may be broadsided by an unexpected divorce. The loss of a job. Death of a loved one. Or any number of other life-altering events.
A few Mack truck moments are inevitable in our lives, it seems. When one hits you, will you be able to say, “I have everything I need”? I hope we all can. Thank you Randy and Jai, for sharing your lives with all of us - reminding us that it’s the small moments that add up to a lifetime of memories. And that’s everything I need.
women experiencing trauma.
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