Steve Jobs. A name every Apple fan knows. He transformed computers worldwide after he started Apple, and started the ‘i-series’ of products every wants to get. His death is indeed mourned by many, particularly tech enthusiast like myself.
To be honest, as much as I admire Apple, its products and Steve Jobs, I never really followed him with interest. However, his death last Wednesday turned that fact around. I searched for Steve’s videos and news over the net, reading and listening to why he is such a big deal, and why many regard him as ‘inspiration’.
I found this video.
I have once a while talked about death in my blog, in my classes and when I’m with friends. I talked about how I am not afraid to die shall my time come because I need not worry about the pressure and expectations of world anymore. Death was simply a good way to get things done easily. However, suicide wasn’t an option because I am so against suiside. I think killing yourself is a sign of weakness, and it should not be condone, whatmore say done. In fact, purposely doing something which will endanger your own life or anyone close to you is nothing short of a foolish act.
Steve Jobs however gave me new in sight on death. He wasn’t thinking of it as an easy way to get away with life, but rather a gateway to create something far better. I quote his speech at Stamford University back in 2005:
No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it, and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.
Almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.
His speech pointed directly towards being more focused in life and the fear of death helps just that. I found this nothing short of inspirational, yet very true. In fact, how he related his life and possible death, and how he managed to remove all the distractions and come up with something amazing in Apple Inc is a product of being very focused in his lifetime, and going for what he thinks is best. Ignoring the rest. How many of us thought of our lives, and of our death in such a way?
Who would have figure, death is a gift to make us more focused in our lives? Steve Jobs did.
Steve Jobs indeed is a visionary, and it would be indeed very difficult to find a replacement to such a legend. To his family, friends and love ones, I wish my condolences to you on the demise of such an amazing man.
To the world, would you ever see Apple the same again? I know I won’t, because Steve Jobs is Apple, Apple is Steve Jobs. Apple is different because of Jobs.
