Direct we beg you, O, Lord, our actions by Your holy inspirations and carry
them on by Your gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may
begin always with You and by You be happily ended.
them on by Your gracious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may
begin always with You and by You be happily ended.
Contributors:
Mary Kochan
Mary Kochan is Senior Editor for Catholic Exchange. She gets things done while homeschooling two of her grandchildren and keeps her 43 folders in a home office in Douglasville, GA, where she does a little happy dance every time her inbox is empty.
Craig Huggart
Craig Huggart has been married to a wonderful woman for over 22 years. They live in Birmingham, AL where they homeschool their 5 children. Craig holds an MBA from the University of Alabama and is a trainer at a large law firm. He freelances as a speaker and blogger. He has a passion for technology and helping people find more rest in their lives. Visit his blog at www.craighuggart.com.
Katherine Andes
Katherine Andes is the co-author with Matt Pinto of Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards. She is also a freelance writer for business communications, advertising, and grants. You can write her at katherineandes@hotmail.com or visit her web site at KatherineAndes.com.
Lisa Hendey
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous Web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com/ and Catholic Mom Moments blog, and an avid reader of Catholic fiction and non-fiction.
Holly Pierlot
Holly Pierlot is a homeschooling mother of five children from Prince Edward Island, Canada. She is a teacher by profession and a former Catechetics Director. Presently she freelances for various Catholic family periodicals and is an international conference speaker. Holly is author of A Mother's Rule of Life and her website is www.mothersruleoflife.com.
Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a Master of Arts in Applied Theology from Elms College, and is editor of SpiritualWoman.net. She is also the author of Letters to Mary from a Young Mother (2004).
Michael St. Pierre
Michael St. Pierre is the Dean of Students at Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, NJ. A sought-after speaker and author, Mike's focus is in the value of meaningful work and work-life balance. Mike blogs daily at http://www.thedailysaint.com/.
Lisa M. Hendey is a mother of two sons, webmaster of numerous Web sites, including http://www.catholicmom.com/ and Catholic Mom Moments blog, and an avid reader of Catholic fiction and non-fiction.
Holly Pierlot
Holly Pierlot is a homeschooling mother of five children from Prince Edward Island, Canada. She is a teacher by profession and a former Catechetics Director. Presently she freelances for various Catholic family periodicals and is an international conference speaker. Holly is author of A Mother's Rule of Life and her website is www.mothersruleoflife.com.
Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a Master of Arts in Applied Theology from Elms College, and is editor of SpiritualWoman.net. She is also the author of Letters to Mary from a Young Mother (2004).
Michael St. Pierre
Michael St. Pierre is the Dean of Students at Oratory Preparatory School in Summit, NJ. A sought-after speaker and author, Mike's focus is in the value of meaningful work and work-life balance. Mike blogs daily at http://www.thedailysaint.com/.
Mary Kochan
Mary Kochan is Senior Editor for Catholic Exchange. She gets things done while homeschooling two of her grandchildren and keeps her 43 folders in a home office in Douglasville, GA, where she does a little happy dance every time her inbox is empty.
Craig Huggart
Craig Huggart has been married to a wonderful woman for over 22 years. They live in Birmingham, AL where they homeschool their 5 children. Craig holds an MBA from the University of Alabama and is a trainer at a large law firm. He freelances as a speaker and blogger. He has a passion for technology and helping people find more rest in their lives. Visit his blog at www.craighuggart.com.
Katherine Andes
Katherine Andes is the co-author with Matt Pinto of Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards. She is also a freelance writer for business communications, advertising, and grants. You can write her at katherineandes@hotmail.com or visit her web site at KatherineAndes.com.
The Last Lecture
posted by: Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
In the April 6th issue of Parade Magazine, terminally ill professor Randy Pausch provides an excerpt from his last lecture: The Lessons I Am Leaving Behind . Pausch writes, “At many colleges, professors are asked to give a “last lecture.” In this talk, they ruminate about what matters most to them. As they speak, audiences mull the same question: What wisdom would you impart to the world if you knew this was your last chance?”
Shortly after being asked to give such a lecture at Carnegie Mellon University where he is a professor in the computer sciences department, he found out that he had terminal pancreatic cancer. This lecture was no longer a hypothetical. Pausch is in his 40s, married to a woman he describes as the “woman of my dreams” and the father of three young children, ages 6, 3, and 1. This lecture would be not only his gift to the university but also his legacy for his children. In his lecture, he told his audience to “dream big, ask for what you want, dare to take a risk, look for the best in everybody, make time for what matters, and let kids be themselves.” It is all very good advice.
Reading about Randy Pausch made me wonder what I would say if I was in the same situation. If I knew I was dying soon, what lessons would I want to leave for my children? Here are a few of the things I would tell them:
1)Spend time with your own children. If you are ever blessed with children of your own, remember that I was very rarely too busy to do something with you. I hope that you recall the hours we spent reading books on the couch or playing games, or simply spending time together. Enjoy your time with your own children, because childhood flies by all too quickly.
2)Love to learn There are so many wonderful things to learn in this world. Never stop learning. The library and the internet are wonderful tools to help you find out more about whatever interests you. School is just a starting point. Your real classroom is the world.
3)Be Generous There are so many who have less than we do. Always be generous with your time and your money.
4)and most importantly, Live Your Faith God is the foundation of all that we are. Pray morning and night and during the day. Go to mass. Read your Bible. Connect with the one who made you. Follow the commandments – your life will be better for it.
The truth is, of course, that none of us have a guaranteed tomorrow. I read somewhere that death gives our days importance. We have a limited amount of time on this earth and we need to use it wisely. Each day we have the opportunity to pass on important lessons to our children by both what we say and what we do. Life is short. Randy Pausch's last lecture is a good reminder to focus on what matters.
What lessons would you want to leave behind for your own children? Please leave a comment and share your wisdom!
- Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com http://momentofbeauty.blogspot.com
Shortly after being asked to give such a lecture at Carnegie Mellon University where he is a professor in the computer sciences department, he found out that he had terminal pancreatic cancer. This lecture was no longer a hypothetical. Pausch is in his 40s, married to a woman he describes as the “woman of my dreams” and the father of three young children, ages 6, 3, and 1. This lecture would be not only his gift to the university but also his legacy for his children. In his lecture, he told his audience to “dream big, ask for what you want, dare to take a risk, look for the best in everybody, make time for what matters, and let kids be themselves.” It is all very good advice.
Reading about Randy Pausch made me wonder what I would say if I was in the same situation. If I knew I was dying soon, what lessons would I want to leave for my children? Here are a few of the things I would tell them:
1)Spend time with your own children. If you are ever blessed with children of your own, remember that I was very rarely too busy to do something with you. I hope that you recall the hours we spent reading books on the couch or playing games, or simply spending time together. Enjoy your time with your own children, because childhood flies by all too quickly.
2)Love to learn There are so many wonderful things to learn in this world. Never stop learning. The library and the internet are wonderful tools to help you find out more about whatever interests you. School is just a starting point. Your real classroom is the world.
3)Be Generous There are so many who have less than we do. Always be generous with your time and your money.
4)and most importantly, Live Your Faith God is the foundation of all that we are. Pray morning and night and during the day. Go to mass. Read your Bible. Connect with the one who made you. Follow the commandments – your life will be better for it.
The truth is, of course, that none of us have a guaranteed tomorrow. I read somewhere that death gives our days importance. We have a limited amount of time on this earth and we need to use it wisely. Each day we have the opportunity to pass on important lessons to our children by both what we say and what we do. Life is short. Randy Pausch's last lecture is a good reminder to focus on what matters.
What lessons would you want to leave behind for your own children? Please leave a comment and share your wisdom!
- Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com http://momentofbeauty.blogspot.com
April 7, 2008 - 0 comments
