Imagine yourself in 50 years. You're in your early 70s, near the end of your career. You start to reflect on your life and think of all the things you wished you had done differently. And just while that's happening, a genie appears and gives you a second chance. You blink your eyes and find yourself right here, right now. The genie was serious.
speech graduation gratitude
Sal Khan
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Commencement 2012, 2012
We're all going to get cancelled one day. So do the show you want to do.
speech graduation authenticity
Phil Rosenthal
Hofstra University Commencement 2011, 2011
Always remember that the moments we have with friends and family, the chances we have to make a difference in the world — all those wonderful chances that life gives us, life also takes away. It can happen fast, and a whole lot sooner than you think.
speech graduation mortality
Larry Page
University of Michigan Commencement 2009, 2009
Things can kill you. So just keep that in mind, you fearless know-it-alls.
speech graduation mortality
Eugene Mirman
Lexington High School Commencement 2009, 2009
Nearly losing my life made me want to live my life.
speech graduation mortality
Rahm Emanuel
George Washington University Commencement 2009, 2009
As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.
speech graduation wisdom
J.K. Rowling
Harvard University Commencement 2008, 2008
We don't beat the Reaper by living longer. We beat the Reaper by living well and living fully.
speech graduation mortality
Randy Pausch
Carnegie Mellon University Commencement 2008, 2008
It is not the things we do in life that we regret on our deathbed. It is the things we do not.
speech graduation mortality
Randy Pausch
Carnegie Mellon University Commencement 2008, 2008
Time is not money. Time is time. When your time is over, you will be remembered for what you did, not for what you never got around to doing.
speech graduation purpose
Billy Collins
Colorado College Commencement 2008, 2008
We don't beat the Reaper by living longer. We beat the Reaper by living well and living fully. For the Reaper will come for all of us. The question is what we do between the time we are born and the time he shows up.
speech graduation mortality
Randy Pausch
Carnegie Mellon University Commencement 2008, 2008
It is not the things we do in life that we regret on our deathbed. It is the things we do not.
speech graduation mortality
Randy Pausch
Carnegie Mellon University Commencement 2008, 2008
It's not about how to achieve your dreams, it's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the dreams will come to you.
speech graduation purpose
Randy Pausch
Carnegie Mellon University 'The Last Lecture' 2007, 2007