What would you say for your last lecture?

Three weeks ago, my business coach, Shawn Shepheard, gave me an assignment:

“Watch a 10 minute video of The Last Lecture, write down your thoughts, and then think about what you would say if you had to deliver your last lecture.”

If you’re not familiar with the Last Lecture, the idea was popularized because of aCarnegie Mellon University professor named Randy Pausch. 

Apparently, professors at Carnegie Mellon were often given a challenge to give a lecture on what important lessons they would share with the world if they knew it was their last opportunity to do so.

They called it the Last Lecture.

Randy Pausch decided to take on the challenge. But soon after, he found out that he had metastasized pancreatic cancer, and was given the diagnosis that he had a few months to live.

As Randy realized, this really could be his Last Lecture.

At first, he hesitated in giving the lecture, but eventually, he decided to do it anyway.

The video of his lecture spread all over the internet and reached millions.

His words were translated in multiple languages, and his message was ultimately captured in a book.

Oprah Winfrey caught wind of his lecture and had him deliver a 10-minute version of it on her show, which helped to deliver his life lessons to many more homes throughout the world.

If you’re wondering why Shawn gave me this assignment, I had shared with him that in the prior weekend, I had three very distinct opportunities to speak to groups of people.

I served as the officiant for a Celebration of Life / Memorial service. I spoke on stage at the Sunday service of my spiritual center. And then I led my monthly LGBTQA spiritual group.

Each time I spoke, I really enjoyed myself. 

When I’m in front of people, giving a message I believe in or leading them through some heart-felt process, I feel connected to something bigger than me. 

And, as participants have told me time and again, the love, connection and feeling of inspiration in the room are always palpable.

Shawn reflected to me, “I hear you saying that you love doing this." 

"What if you did more of this?" Shawn mused. "And what if you did this with a message that you really wanted to share with the world?”

If you were given the opportunity to deliver your last lecture, what would you say?

What stories would you pick from the vastness of life you’ve experienced?

What lessons would rise above others that give you almost a feeling of urgency to share?

You see, I believe you have a story that wants to be shared with the world. 

Maybe it doesn’t have to go viral. Perhaps it’s a story that is only meant to be shared with one or two people.

Sometimes the story is an actual story, with words to be written or vocalized, maybe even with music.

Or, the story could be something to be shared through action, like engaging in a worthy cause or making the world a better place, where you are called to be the instrument by which the story expresses.

As Shawn’s coaching assignment made me realize, I have a story (actually, I have a few stories!) that I feel called to share with the world.

And Shawn, being the loving business coach that he is, who continually nudges me past my comfort zone, gave me an added challenge:

“Once you figure out what you would say for your last lecture, would you be willing to deliver this talk in the next 40 days?”

“Darn it,” I thought to myself. “You mean, not only do I have to think about what I would say for my last lecture, but now I have to deliver it, in no less than 40 days?”

As life’s synchronicity would have it, I soon came across a quote from the late great poet Maya Angelou, who so appropriately stated: 

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

And so…guess what?

Drum roll please….

I’m happy to announce that I’ll be delivering my version of my Last Lecture, what I’m calling a TED-style talk, on the evening of June 19th in downtown Los Angeles.

And the title of my talk?

Living Life Unapologetically.

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Am I excited? Yes.

Am I scared? Yes.

With all that range of emotions I’m feeling, I know that I can’t keep this untold story inside me.

Despite the fear and the doubt that creeps up as I think about this, I’m already following my own life lessons in what it means to live life unapologetically.

And I invite you to support me in my sharing the world premiere of my signature talk.

If you happen to be in Los Angeles on the evening of June 19th and are free, I’d love for you to be there. 

Click on the link below to learn more about and to RSVP:

https://living-life-unapologetically.eventbrite.com

And if you can’t make it, share this with someone who you think might be able to attend. 

Also know that I’ll continue to share this message. One way or another, I’m confident you’ll be able to hear it.

For your coaching assignment this week, give some thought to these questions:

• What would you say if you had to deliver your last lecture, or your own talk where you openly shared your most valuable life lessons?
• What stories from your life would you choose?
• What life lessons would you impart?

Write them down. Journal them in a notebook.

And if you feel so inspired, share your story with at least one person, in whatever way you feel called.

Trust me…the world will be all the better for it because only you can share your message with the world, in a way that only you can.

And someone out there in this world needs to hear your message.

Are you willing to share it?

Abundant Blessings and Namaste.

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A little about me...

My unique ability is helping people figure out what’s really holding them back and to fully support them in a safe and sacred space, with the result of people feeling excited about life and believing they can claim the driver’s seat of their lives. I've been called the "Aha Whisperer."

If you’re feeling the need for support in creating a life filled with more spaciousness, purpose and joy, I offer a complimentary life coaching consultation that may provide you with the insight and resources you need in this moment. To learn more about this, click here.