I happened upon this video of Steve Jobs. It was a letter he supposedly wrote prior to passing away. I had always heard that he was a bit of a mean spirited man, but this final piece makes me think that he figured it out in the end. Sadly it wasn’t until the very end that he understood that what he was chasing was not the priority for a successful life. I hope you don’t wait to understand this yourself. And in doing so I hope his words remind you that your priorities should be your family, spouse and friends. Make each day count and learn a lesson from one of the most driven, creative and successful people of our generation.
Here is a copy of his final words as well as the words put to video:
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I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world.
In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success.
However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.
At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.
In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of god of death drawing closer…
Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth…
Should be something that is more important:
Perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days …
Non-stop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.
God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.
The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me.
What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.
That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on.
Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.
What is the most expensive bed in the world? – “Sick bed” …
You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.
Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – “Life”.
When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading – “Book of Healthy Life”.
Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends…
Treat yourself well. Cherish others.
Steve Jobs
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Ok, now that you’ve read all this I need to come clean. Steve Jobs did not write these words, they were a fabrication attributed to Steve and they did circulate the internet widely.
Regardless, don’t let the lesson be lost - what is written above holds true. I just wish Steve had realized this earlier in his life.
Don’t be like Steve.