Randy Pausch died in 2008 of complications from pancreatic cancer at the age of 47. But, before he left this planet, the computer science professor was asked to give his “last lecture.”

That lecture became the basis for a best-selling book and a video on the Internet that has been viewed by millions of people around the world.

Pausch filled his little but mighty book with his truisms. Like…

“Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun.

“Being honest with other people and teaching them about their flaws is another way to show gratitude for the people who help you.

“Tell the truth…all the time.

“There’s nothing about my life that I would have changed.”

That last truism of Pausch, the one about not changing anything in life, probably leaves us with skepticism. You mean that you would not change dying of cancer at the age of 47?

It would seem that Pausch was a person who accepted the good and the bad of life and made his focus on living life — I mean really living life — and having and showing gratitude along the way, hence his quote:

“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.”

Gratitude has been described as a “feeling of appreciation…positive responses shown by the recipient of kindness, gifts, help, favors, or other types of generosity.” It comes from the Latin word, gratus, translated “pleasing, thankful.”