Lessons from the Dying – 6 Ideas to Live By in 2015

As I’ve gotten older, it certainly feels like time is speeding up! One day we were worried about Y2K, now we are hitting the halfway point of the 2000 teens!

I recently finished the book “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. I’m not even sure how I came across the book, but it was a quick and satisfying read. And it made me think about my own time and how I can better spend it. But first a bit of background:

Randy Pausch was a professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pausch learned that he had pancreatic cancer in September 2006, and in August 2007 he was given a terminal diagnosis: “Three to six months of good health left”.

He gave an upbeat lecture titled “The Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” in September 2007, at Carnegie Mellon. It became a popular YouTube video and led to other media appearances. He then co-authored a book called “The Last Lecture” with Wall Street Journal writer Jeff Zaslow, which became a New York Times best-seller. Randy died in July 2008. Sadly, Jeff was killed in a car accident in western Michigan, in February 2012.

Jeff Zaslow: Author and writer for The Wall Street Journal

A little bit of personal work experience with Jeff. I had the honor to work with him on a story in 2004, while I was PR Manager at Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village (now the Henry Ford). I had pitched Jeff stories for about three years, starting in 2000. Every time, he would shoot me down (“Nope, doesn’t fit my style. Nope, not big enough!”) Yet, he always closed with “But keep sending me stuff. Don’t give up!” And finally in the fall of 2004, he bit on a story, initially pitched as a 40^th anniversary story on the assassination of President Kennedy (the Museum has a collection of presidential limousines, and the Kennedy assassination car is one of them.) Well, once he dug in, it was a whirlwind two-week period of visits by Jeff, interviews, fact-gathering and checking, right up until press time.

I didn’t know even what section the story would run in, and was pleasantly surprised when it landed on the front page…above the fold! A huge feather in my PR cap, I must say. And in talking to Jeff afterwards as a sort of wrap-up to the story he said something that sticks with me to this day: “See? You didn’t give up! And look where it got you!” Jeff was a great guy, gone too soon!

6 Ideas to Live by in 2015

So, I challenge you to not give up in 2015! Below are some quotes I found very appropriate from the book, that might help you in the New Year:

1. “Experience is what you get, when you didn’t get what you wanted” – When I first read that quote, I had to read it a few times out loud to get a good understanding of it (Try it! It helps!)

It certainly can be a letdown when something doesn’t go the way we planned it to go. When an idea is rejected, a project falls through, a friendship ends, we feel empty inside with a huge sense of loss. But all the experience we gained is something we can file away when we dust ourselves off and try again. Use that disappointing experience to see how you can do things better in the future.

2. “Not everything needs to be fixed.” – Priorities are important and organizing them in a list of importance is, well…even more important. We can’t feel that we have to take on everything. Also, we need to remember the saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” In other words, know what needs to be worked on and stick with your list.

3. “If you want something badly enough, do not give up!” – As I mentioned about Jeff Zaslow, he told me not to give up. Though it can be hard at times, we have to keep on trying. It’s why we are here, to try.

4. “Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” – We go through our days accomplishing tasks, and in many instances, taking our family, friends and co-workers for granted. Take a moment to thank them and tell them that you appreciate them in your life.

5. “Time is all you have and you may find one day that you have less than you think.” – I list this more from the idea that we should share our time and talent, whenever we can. Not to the point of maxing out the calendar, but sharing what we know with one another. Help one another. Consider volunteering today.

6. “When we’re connected to others, we become better people.” – This is the biggest passage I took from this book. When we engage with one another, sharing our time and talents, we can’t help but grow. We learn new things, we meet new people with different opinions, and we grow as an individual. Ask someone how they are doing, share your thoughts, worries and ideas. We can only grow and learn from one another.

So, let’s make today the day you do something about it.

Volunteering turns into fundraising success! – What talents can you lend?

Part of my volunteering has been with Opportunity Grosse Ile. I began working with this group back when I was unemployed in 2009 and somehow ended up as president. Recently, we had our first fundraiser, which netted $3,800. Local restaurants provided food, donors gave silent auction items, businesses provided underwriting for entertainment and a great time was had by all! (See related letter to the editor here.)

Proceeds from “An Enchanted Evening” will go towards opening a new welcome center in downtown Grosse Ile.  In addition, we will start up a proactive PR and marketing campaign promoting all the great amenities Grosse Ile offers (did you know it is the only community entirely within the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge?)

We have a great group of people on our board and I enjoy working with them immensely! Volunteering at its best!

Whether you are working or looking for work, volunteering is an important part of networking! What special talents do you have that you could share with a local group?

Here’s the article on the event….

Opportunity Grosse Ile’s first fundraiser a success
Friday, February 5, 2010
Lena Khzouz/The Ile Camera (Grosse Ile, MI)

Opportunity Grosse Ile’s first fundraiser proved to be a great success and a memorable event, organizers said.

“Our first fundraiser for Opportunity Grosse Ile, ‘An Enchanted Evening,’ was beyond our expectations,” said Andrew Johnson, president of the recently formed organization designed to promote island living.

He said members were excited to see that more than 180 people came out to The Pilot House on Saturday to support their event.

“Monies raised, totaling nearly $3,800, will be used to help get the new Welcome Home! Center up and running on Macomb in late February,” Johnson said.

“In addition, funding will be used to undertake a regional advertising and media relations campaign, promoting Grosse Ile as a destination for prospective homebuyers.”

Funds also will be used to help underwrite new events that Opportunity Grosse Ile members have planned for island residents and prospective residents later in the year, he said.

“The Enchanted Evening was a great opportunity for members of Grosse Ile’s (Board of Trustees), school board and business community to meet and greet residents and each other in a purely social setting,” township Supervisor Brian Loftus said.

“Together, we will build the kind of community that will lead the rebirth of southeast Michigan as a wonderful place to live and raise a family.  We have so much to offer.”

“An Enchanted Evening” featured hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants and entertainment, including 1940s-themed music, comedy and special guest bartenders.

One of those guest bartenders was state Rep. Deborah Kennedy (D–Brownstown Twp.), who represents the island.

“It was tremendously successful,” Loftus said, adding that it exceeded anything he had anticipated.

For the event, guests were encouraged to wear World War II/1940s-era outfits, and rooms were decorated in 1940s themes.

“We thank all the supporters of the evening for their generosity as Opportunity Grosse Ile gets under way,” Johnson said.

See the article in its entirety here.