Steve Jobs - To Infinity and Beyond -1955 -2011

Steve Jobs knew how to live while he was dying. I hope that I can learn a lesson or two from his life. I had never heard his speech to the Stanford graduates until today. Serene at The Elegant Bohemian wrote a post today that contains the text to his Stanford speech. If you haven't read it yet, I urge you to do so.

When one of your contemparies dies, it is a rude awakening to the fact that our time is limited here on earth and that we are not guaranteed any specific amount of time here. I have been pondering this idea for a couple of weeks. I just finished the book "The Glass Rainbow" by one of my favorite authors, James Lee Burke. If you are not familiar with Mr Burke, the book is about one of his most memorable characters, Dave Robicheaux. In the novel, Dave has been thinking that his time on earth may be over soon and Mr Burke is keeping us in suspense as to whether or not he will die in this novel.  That caused me to start thinking about what I am doing and how I look at aging. Then Steve Jobs died and reality smacked me between the eyes.

As Steve Jobs said "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life." We should stop comparing ourselves to others. The media bombards us with messages that we aren't pretty enough, thin enough, don't have white enough teeth, have gray hair that needs dyed, and wrinkles that need filled or removed. Why can't we just be happy with who we are and just try to be the best we can be without comparing ourselves to others? I think it is easier said than done, but I know I am going to try. I am going to try to stop beating myself up because I am not thin and because my face is no longer firm and young looking. I am alive and I am going to try to do my best every day until my last one.

Steve Jobs has been compared to many like Henry Ford, or Thomas Edison. He was a visionary and we have all benefited from his vision. Rest in Peace, Mr Jobs and thank you for following your heart and loving your work.