Week 2

Randy Pausch had a wonderful happy childhood, where his parents allowed him to dream big and cultivated his fantasies. In Pausch’s Last Lecture, he claimed that we should not lose sight that “the inspiration and permission to dream is huge.” Pausch was surround by those who pushed him past his limits, such as his parents and his football coach. They let his creativity run wild, and his parents allowed him to paint all over his bedroom walls.

One of his main qualities portrayed during the talk was his perseverance. Through many setbacks, he did not give up. Pausch compared his setbacks to brick walls, and claimed, “The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.” I think dreaming is extremely important. It reveals our deepest desires, and can push us to do extraordinary things.

When I was a little girl, I dreamt of becoming a doctor. I worked hard in school, volunteered at the children’s hospital, and went on to study medicine. I simultaneously worked as a nurse at a nearby hospital to dive more into the atmosphere. When I was finishing my last year of studies though, and just before having to go do internships and residency, I came to the sudden realization that it wasn’t for me. I didn’t feel the joy that I used to when I thought about medicine. I would come home crying, as I had spent most of the day being the emotional soundboard of others and being surrounded by death. I didn’t want to keep doing it. The light at the end of my tunnel however was the realization of my other childhood dream: marrying like a princess to someone very special. While I was in med school, I met the love of my life, and we were married and sealed in the temple of Costa Rica five years later. If you have never seen an LDS temple before, I highly recommend you visit one as soon as possible. They are castles in their own right, and have an amazing feeling of peace within.

My last childhood dream is traveling around the world. I would read about the 7 wonders of the world, look at pictures of all the beautiful beaches and mountains and temples. Traveling always seemed like a far off possibility, one that required a lot of money, until now. My husband recently started working for an airline industry! This means that travel will be a lot more accessible now than before. I’m incredibly excited for this next stage in our life.

I am looking forward to discovering my true calling in life, a process that I have already begun by selecting my stars and steppingstones. By beginning with the end in mind, I can work towards my vision and making sure that my life has meaning. I am not afraid of failure, as each experience brings its own lessons. Failure is inevitable. This week I learned that any type of work can be a calling, as long as it renders service to mankind. I will strive to do my best and work hard in what I am called to do. I will strive to work to serve. As recommended in The Ministry of Business by Steven A. Hitz, “Follow your heart and you will be blessed … Act with faith, trust your heart’s inspiration, and work hard to see your objectives through.”