The idea of death has boggled many philosophers over the centuries. What is beyond death? Will everything end just like a puff of smoke? The uncertainty surrounding the subject has literally given rise to popular philosophies. Stoicism, Epicureanism, and Live the moment -hip-hop moments.
Randy is a professor who is nearing the end of his life. His thoughts about death are not part of the book. He talks about the lessons he wants to impart to his children, and his own journey to a fulfilling life. He is talking about the precious little moments in his life.
The book is divided into three parts.
- Regrets
- Lessons
- Inspiration
- Regrets
The book has very few thoughts about regrets. It is mostly about how to live your life to the fullest. But certainly, he regrets dying at such a young age. He will not be able to see his children growing up, and he will regret not being with his wife anymore. But cancer had taught him how precious life could be, and so he stopped regretting things and started to live each and every moment.
- Lessons
There are some wonderful lessons in this book. The one thing that really helped me was the way he challenged his students. The way he treats them. He was trying to impart something important to them. He also talks about his job as a professor and how he balanced his academic life with the entertainment world of Disney as well.
- Inspiration
Randy is inspiring not because he’s like a superhero. The important thing about him is that he is an ordinary person, and that makes all the difference. He is inspiring because he took responsibility for his life. He did not whine about the bad cards dealt with him. He lived a bold, and impactful life. His last lecture should be cherished by all.
Some people think this is self-indulgent, but in retrospect, we are all going to come to that place, and I am sure we are all going to find ways to leave an impression on others. The fear of being forgotten is real. Kings and rulers have been building great monuments just in the anticipation of being remembered by people. Otherwise, why would anyone build such an extraordinary structure? They want the world to remember them.
The book must be cherished. If the readers have any takeaway from this book, then it must be about the fragility of life. Every day, every moment, whether we are affected by terminal cancer or not, we must learn to cherish it. We must make as many memories as possible. I really think everybody ought to tell their stories. After all, we know that stories tend to stay a bit longer than monuments.