Steve Jobs is Dead

Steve Jobs is dead.

And one day, I will be dead. Everybody will. That was the point Steve made during the commencement speech he gave at Stanford University in 2005—a talk that has been viewed so many times within the last 24 hours as we all consider the depths of the profound mark he made in this world during his life, and the sobering reality that he is no longer alive.

No matter the comfort we each gain from our respective faiths in the face of death, it's scary and sad.

During that commencement speech, he said to the graduating class that though they represent the new at that very moment, they will eventually and inevitably be considered the old. And the old will eventually become replaced by the next new. In other words, there is always a beginning, middle, and an end with all things. Jobs, relationships, projects, trips, careers, events, civilizations. This truth, when fully realized, fills me with courage and humility.

Courage to do what I want to do. I only have one shot at my beginning-middle-end and I don't want to waste it doing something that I'm not interested in, or being with people I'm not interested in.

Humility to approach what I do by knowing that I will eventually be replaced by the next new. It's just the way it is. It's giving it my all, and then knowing how and when to exit and move on with grace and to my next, allowing for the natural cycle of things to play out.

I think it's when we try to hold on too long, as we try to make the finite the infinite, trying to stay the new when you are new no more, that humility gets lost, and the luster of our contributions starts to lack.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Steve Jobs and I join the entire world in mourning and remembering the tremendous contributions that he made during his incredible beginning, middle, and end.

Comments

[DebHodge]

Well said Jenny.

[Kim]

You always know how to put thoughts into words so well. It is something we all need to think about no matter how hard it is to face. . .

xo