Life on Earth can be different for many people. Whether a person is wealthy or not, we all share the same fate- death. For most people, death is inescapable and something to be feared. On the other hand, some people, like Steve Jobs and Roger Ebert, welcomed it without a drop of fear. While most may ask why they are not afraid, the answer for them is quite clear. They were able to see how important and valuable their actions were, and how their contributions benefited the world around them. According to Mr. Jobs, we should all connect the dots of life, jump the hurdle of love and loss, and don’t fear death.
We have all have at least once in our life as a child connected the dots on a piece of paper whether at home or at school. From a very young age, an individual can find them almost anywhere. Mr. Jobs was not actually talking about connecting the dots on a piece of paper, but connecting the dots of life.
He talks about how he dropped out of college and that it was one of the best decisions he has ever made in his life. One of the most crucial choices Mr. Jobs made was taking classes that he enjoyed and dropping out of the ones that he didn’t. A class that he thoroughly enjoyed was calligraphy class.
After dropping out of college, these classes that he loved, unknowingly to him, led to the creation of one of the biggest companies in the world, known as Apple. To most people, dropping out of college is one of the worst things that a person can do. This is how Steve Jobs connected a dot. Although it may look messy at first and in the moment, when a person backs up and time goes on, they can see the larger picture that they has created for themself. Jobs states that, “You have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.
You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” Do what you love, trust in your dots, and hope that they create a path for success. From what started from a garage in California, grew into one of the largest American multinational technology companies in the US. Unknowingly to Steve Jobs, the company that he started would lead him to being fired and out of the company by the age of 30. Even though this was a tremendous blow to Steve Jobs, he did not let this stop him from doing what he loved. He still loved what he did and created Pixar and NeXT.
Pixar became of became part of Disney in 2006 and the rest is history. NeXT was incorporated into Apple after Steve Jobs earned his spot back as CEO.This is a perfect example of how the future is unpredictable and how he was able to jump the hurdle.Death made a large impression on Steve Jobs from a very young age. He told the Stanford graduates in 2005 about how he asked himself everyday, “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” What Steve Jobs didn’t know is, at the age of 49, he would be given one of the worst diagnoses a doctor can give.
He was told that he had a rare, but treatable type of cancer.After having to stare at death straight in the eyes, Steve Jobs then said during his commencement speech, “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. Because 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.” Make choices that will follow your heart and don’t be afraid to take chances because according to Steve Jobs, “Live everyday as if it your last.
Do what you love. Time is short do not waste it.”Steve Jobs without a doubt is an inspiration to all. Doing what he loved led him to a path full of success and hardships that he overcame and conquered. Even though he has passed away, his story lives on in those graduates who are now changing the world in everything that they do. They are now able to see how important and valuable their actions are and how they contributed and benefited the world around them. According to Mr.
Jobs, we should all connect the dots of life, jump the hurdle of love and loss, and don’t fear death.
