HOW WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?

"Make a dent in the universe” BONO of U2

An amazing leader, innovator, thinker has passed.  From Europe to Asia, throngs of fans flocked to Apple stores worldwide to offer flowers, effigies and even their ubiquitous logo: apples to celebrate the life of Steve Jobs.  One message says it all in one store in Manhattan; printed in bold letters the words “I Thank You”

With all his achievements as the CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs asked since 1997 only for a salary of $1 per year, something totally unheard of in any industry.  Speakers like us know him as one of the best product presenters in history, while everyone else have been affected by his user oriented products.   For all his fame and fortune Jobs was born and raised in humility; an adopted child, college dropout and incurred multiple failures in his business and personal life. 

Even though he was at the helm of one of the most important companies in the world, he had his soft spots too.  Taken from an article describing his relationship with his wife:

For all of his single-minded dedication to the company he built from the ground up, Jobs actually skipped a meeting to take Laurene on their first date: "I was in the parking lot with the key in the car, and I thought to myself, 'If this is my last night on earth, would I rather spend it at a business meeting or with this woman?' I ran across the parking lot, asked her if she'd have dinner with me. She said yes, we walked into town and we've been together ever since."

Just 42 days after resigning as CEO, he succumbed after a long bout with pancreatic cancer, a disease that took also some members from my own family.

His death has led me to think about our own lives; too busy thinking about ourselves and our problems, how would the world feel if we pass away?  The thought of mortality seems morbid for some but is definitely the best way for us to reflect on how much our lives have affected others.    

One good indicator is the epitaph test.  Ask yourself this question:  If you were to meet our Creator today what would your:

1.) Spouse

2.) Family

3.) Friends

4.) Community

say about how you lived your life?

Did you make an impact on influencing others? Did you love? Did you even matter?

“When you were born, you were the one crying, but when you die, does the world shed a tear?”

Will the next Steve Jobs please stand up!