THE LAST LECTURE……..

                                                  

The last lecture for me was a long awaited moment of my student life considering how it started, the stress and tedious nature of work we had to deal with at the beginning of the year. 

The last lecture although, based on a book co-authored by Randy Pausch, a professor of computer science, human-computer interaction, and design at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Jeffrey Zaslow of the Wall Street Journal is based on the lecture given in September 2007 on how to really achieve your childhood dreams.

Similar to the concept of the book, the last lecture especially for media studies was a very important and memorable moment for me because, it meant the last opportunity to learn something worthwhile and at the same time it was memorable as well because, it was the last time I had to seat with my classmates and watch them do their presentations which was the most interesting part of my class time.

In as much as I was happy about the last lecture perhaps because, it would mean the end of stress, I still find it really difficult to make peace with the fact that, I may not be seeing some of my classmates with whom I have made good friends with being that, they will be going back to their home country and life without them will be boring.

However, I believe that is what life is all about, moving forward to greater things, even though I will miss my friends and class time, am really happy it’s over because, that will give us all the opportunity to move to the next level.  I wish all my friends and the entire #smed12 a wonderful and fulfilled life ahead.

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IF PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET A MESSAGE TO A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE, WHAT WOULD YOUR MESSAGE BE? IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIE WITHOUT SAYING A WORD?

                                          

If I was given the opportunity to get a message to a large mass of people, my message will be directed to orphans’/abandoned children within a community in South Africa or beyond, children who often feel deserted and isolated in the community.

Some of the reasons’ why we have a lot of abandoned and orphaned children ranges from but not limited to the following: unwanted and illegitimate pregnancies, crime and drug dealing etc.
 

Often time’s, young and underage girls get pregnant and without the necessary requirements to take care of the child, they abandon them in the streets where some of them are taken to foster homes leaving them with no father or mother to care for them. 

Crime and drugs could also lead to the death of people who have children and yet indulge in this act, when they die of drug overdose or get killed by the police through crime they render their children orphans’ in the society.

My message will therefore, be directed to the orphans’/abandoned children to let them know that they may be abandoned by their parents but, God has not abandoned them.  This is to give them a sense of belonging and hope for a better future in order to inspire and impact a positive attitude in them.

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HOW OLD WOULD YOU BE IF YOU DIDN’T KNOW HOW OLD YOU ARE?

                                          

I would be 18 again because, it was the most memorable time of my life and I was experiencing the best things in life for the first time and it felt so good. 

I know that sounds funny but, I think it’s the only way, although other people may choose the most memorable time of their life as well depending on personal interests, after all, good memories are worth holding on to.  How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

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OF ALL THE FORMS OF COURAGE THE ABILITY TO LAUGH IS THE MOST......

                                         

The ability to laugh is the most energizing, simplest, bravest and rewarding form of human expression because, laughing automatically relieves one of pain and anxiety, it is the greatest and courageous gift of all and it helps one to relax.

Besides, people laugh for different reasons, for joy in a peaceful manner, for wickedness in a sarcastic manner and for fun in a relaxing and effortless manner. Although, it is not all who laugh with you in times of joy that are happy for you.

Nonetheless, laughing is the most incredible and unpredictable form of human expression because, like I pointed out earlier, it is not all who laugh that are happy.  On the other hand, some people may be laughing at you while you may think that, they are laughing with you which makes laughing unpredictable at times.

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THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS HAS EXPIRED ON MOST OF OUR CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

                                               

I may not have experienced trauma during my childhood but, I have heard a lot about childhood traumatic experiences that could be devastating enough to cut short the expectations and achievements of people thereby, limiting them towards achieving their goals.

Although, that should not be a benchmark for limitations in achievements rather, it should serve as a motivational step towards becoming a fulfilled and a better person in life, success stories of people like Oprah Winfrey who was abused and molested in her childhood should be a motivation towards becoming a better person.

In order words, the bad experiences and traumas of childhood should not limit one from achieving desired goals in life, people with childhood trauma should look on the bright side and endeavour to make the best out of their situation no matter how hard it may seem and be an inspiration to others in the same situation. 

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ONLY BAD THINGS HAPPEN QUICKLY

                                     

This is a famous quote by Gordon Livingston and looking at it from a similar perspective, bad things do happen quickly perhaps because they are unplanned, unforeseen, disregarded and unwanted.

Contrarily, good things on the other hand take longer time to happen because, we plan, want and work so hard to see them happen and when they do we develop a sense of satisfaction unlike the bad things that often surprise and make us unhappy.

Although, in as much as good things may take time to happen, they last longer, if not forever because, they are guided by a carefully mapped out plan, determination, perseverance and hard work and bad things cannot comprehend because, it does not possess these qualities.  After all, nobody will deliberately make an effort and work hard to ensure that bad things happen.

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BE BOLD AND MIGHTY FORCES WILL COME TO YOUR AID

                                     

When troubles and tribulations are coming your way, it is an indication that, you are special and perhaps being tested by God for a greater task ahead of you.  In addition, if you are a believer, it is very much possible that, God is preparing you for an everlasting happiness.

Often time, we may develop mixed feelings that, God may have abandoned us to suffer.  The truth is God will never allow His people to suffer in vain without a good plan for the future, which is a good reason to be bold in whatever you do in life.

However, God will never let you down, no matter the situation; He will always come to your aid one way or another through, people you may or may not know.  The people that come to your aid in times of trouble are sent by God and thus, represent the forces of the bold and mighty (God).

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IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN?

                                    

There is a proverb that says “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step”, as well as “a stitch in time saves nine”.  Yes we aspire and wish for the best things that life can offer and believe in fantasies that perhaps, may not be impossible to accomplish.

We often feel that, our wishes should be handed unto us on a silver platter.  Wake up and smell the curfew, it is high time we begin to act and work towards our dreams, fantasies and aspirations if we really want to achieve our heart desires.

Make the first step and start working for what you desire in life, there is no better time to make a step than now because, the earlier the better and faster our dreams can come to past and the rest of our days will be filled with joy and not regrets.

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WATCH THIS SPACE

                                         

Often times, we are confronted with difficult situations that, seems hard to cope with perhaps because, they are overwhelming, looks hard and sound hopeless when considering how to tackle the situation and come up with possible solutions.

Watch this space of difficult occurrences because, chances are that, things will soon turn around for good.  After all, anything that has a beginning will definitely have an end thus; anything that has a production date will have an expiry date as well.

Hence, certain things must happen to pave way for greater things to come through, your worries and difficulties indicates that, something good is about to happen because, the way to success is not as straight as you may think.

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FORCED LOVE

                                           

The more I look and think about this title, the more confused I become.  How can love be imposed on someone? It baffles me a lot and I honestly do not think such love will ever see the light of the day.

Love is simply a feeling that comes and flows naturally from within, no body have the power to control the emotion and striving forces of love that is natural.  Same applies to forced love because, people around will vividly notice that the feeling is not natural and mutual.

Nevertheless, love is natural and unconditional and simply not “a four letter word with so much strings attached to it” like some people I have come across would say.  Love should therefore, be allowed to flow freely between two consenting adults and not to be forced based on several inconsiderate and conditional grounds.

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MY FAVOURITE CAT IN THE HAT BOOK IS “COOL CATS”

                                            

Yes, you are not mistaking, what you are looking at is actually a cartoon not a book because, I do not read cat in the hat books, although, I enjoy the “cool cats” cartoon movie because, it is funny and mind relaxing.

Moreover, whenever I feel like I need some fun and relaxing moments to forget about the serious circumstances life itself presents, I tune on to cartoon network when it is time for the cool cats and savor the moment.

Nonetheless, the “cool cats” is very interesting for people who actually love cat in the hat related books, movies or cartoons.  Yes I know I was pretty boring on this one, well I guess is because, I am not really a fan of cat in the hat.

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WHY I HAVE CONVERSATIONS?

                                   

Having conversations for me is a way to get my message across, make my point known and share my opinion about something.  I often feel the need to converse with people because, i can hardly stay silent when something is bordering me.

Therefore, conversing with people when i am troubled is a way of setting myself free, when i share my worries, concerns and opinion with people around me, i feel like a load has been lifted off my shoulders.

In order words, conversation is very essential for me because, at every point in time, i have one or two things that needs clarification and am sure we all do at some point. After all, life is living, loving and learning and the latter demands conversation for learning to be reached.

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WHY DO PEOPLE THINK PR IS ALL ABOUT PARTYING?

                                         

Public Relations from my understanding entails the building and sustenance of a mutual long term relationship between an organisation and its stakeholders, it could also be regarded as reputation management from a different perspective.

Now, how that constitutes partying and clubbing is what I do not understand and as a matter of facts it baffles me.  I got into a discussion today at school with some IT students and they were of the opinion that, public relations students are idle people and party freaks.

Although, the impression they have about public relations may be as a result of the calibre of public relations students they come across. That goes on to illustrate how relevant it is to understand what you are doing and be able to defend it in public because, however you portray yourself out there will determine the impression people will have about the entire organisation or department you represent.

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THE ENDLESS CHAIN OF PARENTAL TRAITS

                                  
                                  

Often time, we feel that, our parents are so out dated and uncool, we believe that, they perhaps act the way they do because; they did not have some of the privileges’ we now enjoy.  Considering the dawn of the new social media networks and other technologies that surrounds us.

I feel that, they act the way they do basically, from raising us, paying bills and facing life challenges they would not ordinarily be facing if they were single nor had no children they are directly responsible for.

Nevertheless, there is a tendency that we may act the same way when we are of similar age and thus; encounter similar challenges and responsibilities.  We will be just like them without even realising it because, obviously our parents thought the same of their parents at some point just like we are doing now.

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100 THINGS TO DO BEFORE I DIE

                                          

If I decide to write down a list of what I intend to do before I die, I don’t think 100 will be enough which is why, I have decided not to give you up to 100 things because; as we advance in life things we feel the need to do begins to pop up.

Nevertheless, the following are a tiny bit of the things I would love to do before I die just to give you a perception of the things I desire and the calibre of person I am.

·         Before I die, I would love to have my own children,

·         Before I die, I would love to tour the world,

·         Before I die, I would love to give my mom her dream trip to USA,

·         Before I die, I would love to spoil my siblings a great deal,

·         Before I die, I would love to drive my dream car, own my dream house,

·         Before I die, I would love to get to the desired level in my career and make a difference in the life of orphans around the world.

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I JUST WANT TO SAY “THANK YOU LORD”

                                          

I don’t want to ask for any favours’ I have not come to ask for silver, gold nor am I in any trouble that I need your help.  All I have come to do is, to say thank you for your mercy that endures for ever.

Everything I am and will ever be is by your grace, for the fact that I am alive and ready to move on with the challenges of the real world is by the privilege you have given to me, I say thank you Lord.

I say thanks a million times for your goodness, the unmerited favours’ you have always shown me right from when I was born to this present time.  I say thank you, I will give you thanks today, tomorrow and for the rest of my life, thank you Lord.

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HOW ARE YOU PURSUING YOUR DREAMS?

                                                

                                 Don't trample on others in the process.

This is a very reasonable question whose answer could be predicted.  Just like everybody would say “i am pursuing my dream in a noble and modest manner”, is that really applicable to all?  I don’t think so.

I know for a fact that, some people are pursuing their dreams in a noble way because; they actually aspire to succeed while others trample on people’s rights without any feeling of remorse provided they get what they want.

That notwithstanding,  I am pursuing my dreams in a way I deem fit and right, following due process of determination, hard work and total commitment.  If you want to get something in life you must be ready to work towards it and give up your time in absolute commitment to achieve your goals.

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WHAT MAKES YOU SMILE?

                                             

This question is quite simple, easy and tactical at the same time.  It is very obvious that whoever stumbles on this question would see it as a simple one and will immediately strive to give you a list of things that make them smile, without even giving it a thought.

Therefore, Smiling for the sake of it is very different from a smile that comes from the heart, devoid of any conditions or obligations, am saying this because, it is not everyone who smiles that is happy, some do it to make the next person happy while others actually smile from their heart etc.

So, before you answer this question, please ponder on it carefully and sincerely tell me what makes you smile?  Hence, believing and imagining a better future and the love of my family makes me smile.

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