You've no idea how hard I've looked for a gift to bring You
Nothing seemed right
What's the point of bringing gold to the gold mine, or water to the Ocean
Everything I came up with was like taking spices to the Orient
It's no good giving my heart and my soul because you already have these
So, I have brought you a mirror.
Look at yourself and remember me.

-Rumi

Prof. Randy Pausch's Last Lecture. A MUST see.

Randy Pausch a Carnegie-Mellon professor delivered a “Last Lecture” to his students (he is struggling with pancreatic cancer) that has become a media sensation.

I watched this Last Lecture, and understood immediately why so many people have felt motivated to tell others to watch it:

Well, I guess he caught the attention of JJ Abrams (Mission Impossible, Cloverfield, StarTrek) among others, and what happened then... well, read for yourself...

Hi there -- I'm JJ Abrams, director of the new Star Trek movie.

I read about you and your condition, and ALSO your affinity for things Trek.

So, I just wanted to put the invitation out there -- that if you had any desire to be in the film (can't promise you role as CAPTAIN, but... we could do SOMETHING!), it would be my honor and pleasure.

The last thing I want to do is intrude, so feel free not to reply -- but I wanted to make sure you knew that, if you are willing and able, the door is wide open.

I hope that your treatments are going well and that we get to meet one day.

Best,
JJ

I guess while we're at it, let's watch JJ Abram's presentation at TED:

Other Links:
Randy Pausch (Carnegie Mellon)
The Alice Project
Learning to program with Alice
"Time Management" by Randy Pausch

If you name your emotions, you can tame them

A new brain imaging study reveals why verbalizing our feelings makes our sadness, anger and pain less intense. Another study, combines modern neuroscience with ancient Buddhist teachings to provide the first neural evidence for why "mindfulness" --- the ability to live in the present moment, without distraction --- seems to produce a variety of health benefits.

I will post more about Rumi and his writings. For now you can view this: