Advice For Life

When I went home on Thursday, I "read" a book.  I say "read" because I actually listened to it.  Since I do a lot of driving I have learned how to survive a road trip and audio books are a staple for a long drive now.  It was the first book I've read in a while that wasn't for school, so it was pretty refreshing to have something that wasn't academic in my life for a while.  I had all these plans to read so many books this year and I have yet to scratch a single one off the list.  I've started a few, but this semester has been so crazy I just haven't been able to find the time. 
Luckily though, I have a block of 6 hours that would be filled with nothing but driving. Perfect for a some 'reading'. So I took to FB and I asked for some suggestions.  While I was given some great suggestions (sorry, Michael, I already read Twilight...) I decided to go with The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Just a little background on the story, Randy Pausch was a real guy.  He was a professor at a university, and he was diagnosed with Pancreatic cancer (the same kind my Grandma died from...) that had metastasized in his belly.  He had three kids, the youngest being 18 months at the time he have his lecture, and a wife.  He lived an amazing life, and his book and last lecture were meant to be something for them to have when he parted from the world.  Basically the book is about he led his life and things that he feels would be beneficial for the lives of others.  
After listening for 4 hours I literally feel like my life has been changed. I decided today that I would share a few things the Randy Pausch had to say that really hit home.  I highly suggest you check out his last lecture on Youtube and read his book.  I think that people of all ages and stages of life can benefit from it. 
+ When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you it's simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do.  I believe this needs no explanation.
+ Express Gratitude. He mentions in the book that his program accepted a young lady almost completely because they found a thank you note that had been slipped into her file.  It was hand-written and wasn't even for them specifically, but her taking the time to write a note and express her gratitude was a game changer.  It's never a bad thing to say thank you. 
+ Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.  A quote by Seneca...But seriously...It's so true.  We have to work hard at preparing ourselves for the things that we want.  Who knows? Tomorrow the very opportunity you need could waiting around the corner. Would you want it to pass you by because you weren't ready for it?
+ Be able to work well with others.  It seems like such a simple thing, but it's so hard for some people!  I have learned a lot about team work and collaboration since starting college and joining the Army and this skill is great to have and continually exercise. 
+ Brick walls are there for a reason.  This bit of advice will stick with me for as long as I live.  Every day we encounter challenges, some larger than others.  Those challenges, or brick walls as Pausch calls them, are there to show us how badly we want something.  If you're willing to overcome that challenge, you will.  Whether you think you can or you think you can't...you're right.
If I could just share the whole book right here I would.  I recommend reading it and then sharing it with someone else who could use it.