Randy (the author of The Last Lecture) is to be commended for his energy, drive, and passion for living. His thoughts and advice should be beneficial to anyone seeking to life a better life or to those who like Randy face the unfathomable difficulty of a terminal disease.

Randy’s focus on achieving childhood dreams is a great premise for the book and should inspire all of us to (1) identify or reacquaint ourselves with our childhood dreams and (2) live to achieve those dreams.

It is very interesting to compare Randy’s philosophy and his approach to the time remaining in his life to the philosophy and approach of someone in a very similar situation but very different background.

A few years ago, I read Chasing Daylight by Gene O’Kelly. Gene was CEO of one of the largest companies in the world when he was diagnosed with his terminal disease (and still at a relatively young age) that would claim his life soon after the diagnosis.

Comparing the philosophy these two men (Gene and Randy) took in approaching the time they knew they had left was very insightful.

Randy comes from the world of academia, very logical, with attention very much centered on the teacher/professor who lectures in front students. Gene’s background was in business, more specifically, the corporate world and had achieved top leadership in KPMG on of the leading accounting firms in the world.

Randy’s approach focused heavily on leaving a legacy for others and for his children. Much of his book describes preparing for his last lecture and the content that was covered in his lecture.

Gene, among other things, decided to have a “Perfect Moment” (a moment of conversation, reflection, or parting) with each of his friends and family. A “Perfect Moment” was different for each, and usually was something simple. He identified his outer circle of friends and wrote notes or had telephone calls. With close friends, he went for a walk with them or had longer, deeper conversations with them. With family, he planned special outing with each member.

Each of us would most likely take our own unique approach if in their situation. Gene, spending a career building business relationships (including playing a lot of golf) chose to bring a certain type of closure to many of his relationships. Randy chose to leave a legacy using the medium he had come to love (teaching/lecturing). Each approach appropriate to its creator.

Both books are a great read and cause one to reflect on life and how well we are living it.