Death is a teacher

We’re all going to die.

Steve Jobs knew this. But rather than run from this reality, he embraced it. In fact, it’s what drove him to take chances.

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.”

I wonder if, in his last moments, he was able to appreciate all that he had accomplished. 

As he drew his final breaths, did Steve think about how he took an entire industry from the mundane to the magical?

Did he think about how he invented a whole new class of products that married form and function in a way that brought joy to millions?

Did he think about how he sparked a renaissance in design—one that influenced nearly every industry, from automobiles to discount retailers?

Did he think about he made it cool to be a geek, spawning an entire generation of wonderers, tinkerers and explorers?

We’ll never know what he felt during those final moments. But I have to believe he took some comfort in knowing that he changed our world for the better and he stayed true to his beliefs right up to the very end. 

RIP Steve. You were an inspiration to us all.