A few years ago, a friend of mine — who also happened to be one of the most talented comedians I’ve known — suffered a heart attack. As a comic, this guy was absolutely hilarious. He was always bursting with rambunctious energy and zany, off-the-wall humor. So his heart condition came as something of a shock to me. It just didn’t seem possible that a person so full of life could also be so ill. But my friend never recovered from his heart attack. He died at age 43.
Sometimes it takes tragedy to remind us what’s important. For the past several months, Dr. Randy Pausch and his book The Last Lecture have become sensations. Faced with terminal cancer, Dr. Pausch was given six months to live. Instead of curling up into a ball of self-pity, he went about the business of leaving a legacy for his family. Pausch attempted to “catch time in a bottle,” and summarize his life’s lessons for the benefit of his children. He succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.
For Dr. Pausch, life was all about having fun. “I’m dying and I’m still having fun!” he exclaimed. He pointed out that we spend much of our lives chasing carrots instead of chasing dreams. He said that true meaning in life comes from relationships with friends and family, rather than material possessions.
Much of what Dr. Pausch taught is applicable to the RV world. How many times have you heard about the person who bought a beautiful RV, only to never use it due to health problems? Or the person who postponed his dream year after year, without ever making it a reality? In fact, these sad stories unfold every day. All too often, we allow our fondest dreams to wither on the vine.
My wife and I often have conversations with older RV owners in campgrounds. “Good for you,” they often say, “for traveling while you’re healthy.” For the two of us, traveling around the country and the world is a dream come true. Sharing it with others via our website, TheLongLongHoneymoon.com, is icing on the cake. Whenever I feel the slightest hesitation about pursuing this dream, I remember my friend. And from now on, I’ll also remember Randy Pausch.
Have you achieved your childhood dreams? If not, are you taking steps to do so? At the end of your life, you’ll be happy you did.
Perhaps more importantly, during your life you’ll be happy you did.
Words…where are the words that are normally flowing out of my mouth or fingers??
One thing I did find were the tears – they are freely flowing!
What a truly beautiful tribute you made to a very special man who I do hope teaches many people to “seize the day” and “don’t put off ’til tomorrow what you can do today”.
But to have my message I sent to you when I ran across your blog mixed in with this message?? Truly, I don’t know what the right words are…as thank you seems so trite and not even really what I want to say.
However, the message in this blog is SO VERY TRUE!!! I had so many plans, so many dreams…all of those things that someone at almost 28 has in their head for “the future”. Except my future changed the day I became sick, and I had to learn to live a new life. My life today, 11+ years later, resembles NOTHING of what it did before I got sick and even less of what I thought it would be at this point in my life.
Turning 40 on my next birthday, I sometimes allow myself to wonder “what could have been”.
One of those things is DEFINITELY part of the life you and your wife have – travelling our great beautiful country in an RV. I thought “we” (whoever my partner/spouse was) and our dogs and possibly children would pack up at least a few times a year if not more often and just “go”. Where we ended up, could be planned or could be just wherever we stopped.
So for anyone who has followed your blog and thought “how fun that would be someday” – DO NOT PUT IT OFF FOR SOMEDAY!!!
As Randy and Sean have stated – someday might not be there when you finally decide that “someday” is “today”.
To say I am honored is a major understatement…but with that, I will stop.
And now, I must go call my Mom to tell her about this! I FEEL FAMOUS…hehehehe!
Brenda from the tiny town in Southeast Texas
PS…Told you I would be watching! And when is your next trip planned? Is there one on the horizon?
That was fantastic man. I got chill bumps… Seriously… Dreams here I come… I’m moving to Phoenix at the end of next month… Hope you guys are doing well… Keep up the good work…
Thanks Doug! I’m excited to hear about your move to Phoenix. Good for you… I know it’s been on your radar screen for a while now. I always feel that I’d rather pursue an opportunity and see what happens than go through life wondering “What if…” Please keep in touch. We will always be available here, and we hope to see you in Arizona (or Hollywood) someday.
Brenda, THANK YOU for sharing your story with us all. Really, your original post inspired me!
As for our next trip, we may depart for Colorado as soon as next week. Stay tuned! 😎
You finally convinced me to watch the last lecture in it’s entirety. As a high school band director the concepts he taught are tightly bound to what I do for a living. Thanks for the encouragement…it was worth the time!
Thanks Mark. I’m glad you agree that the Randy Pausch lecture is time well spent! His grace and courage were inspiring.
While I don’t walk around all day long thinking about mortality, I feel it’s important that we remind ourselves that life is fleeting… We’ve got to appreciate and enjoy every day.
Yes, I’m sure that you can apply Randy’s philosophies to your band activities and the daily positive influence you have upon your students. Doing what you enjoy leads to a more happy life!
I’m a little late with this comment but , I only recently discovered the site. My comment on this post is: ….
Heavy sigh…… nice one Sean!! My angioplasty made me realize that “do it now” wasn’t just a stupid “Rah Rah” psychobabble pity saying. …. there is actually real meaning behind it.
I retired early because of health issues. We are going to RV and Sail until it ain’t fun anymore or until my time is done. I got a second chance at it and will enjoy every minute.
If I have money to put gas (or diesel) in the tank …. we are going to go for it. Thanks.
Hi restless, it’s never too late to comment. Welcome to our humble blog…or website….or online show…or whatever you wanna call it!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We did this video soon after Dr. Pausch passed away. Not only was he incredibly inspiring, but his message was one we all really need to hear. Even those of us who profess a “carpe diem” philosophy sometimes need to be reminded — THIS IS IT! This is our chance to see, do, meet, greet, live, love, taste, experience… It’s a one way trip and time is the most precious commodity we’ve got.
Hey Sean,
I’m new to your site – this is my first post. I’ve been watching my way through your library of videos in anticipation of the arrival of my first RV! My husband and I have ordered a brand new 15′ travel trailer from a small, family owned business http://www.taylorcoach.com. It really is the fulfillment of my childhood dreams since my parents bought a Taylor Coach in 1981 and we traveled in it all summer every year. Those are some of my happiest memories and I’m looking forward to creating some new ones.
The best part is that I just turned 36 this year – my mom was 42 when she got her trailer so I’m feeling really blessed to be a bit ahead of the curve. I think often about the balance between saving for the future and living life for today. Over 12 years of marriage my hubby and I have worked hard and saved a lot. We’ve also had lots of fun car camping, canoe tripping, riding motorcycles and even traveling a fair bit. But buying a trailer has really been a deliberate choice to use our savings to make our dreams come true today instead of just someday.
Thanks for your blogs – I will post again!
Margot Bai aka Wiggly
http://www.spendsmarter.ca
Hi Wiggly (great screen name!),
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope you find our website entertaining and helpful.
I totally understand the need to strike a balance between saving for the future and living for today. Everyone’s situation is different, but I’ve never regretted following my instincts! Life is a journey… sometimes we tend to get focused on the destination (retirement or whatever) when we should instead be enjoying the ride!
Anyway, congrats on your new RV! I hope it brings you many years of great family memories. Please feel free to post and post often! 🙂
Happy camping,
Sean