Steve Jobs recognized at a young age that happiness is a byproduct of living life like everyday was his last. Reject the status quo. Be rebellious and innovative. Do what has never been done before. This passionate, unrestrained attitude is sometimes desired but most times despised. People praise innovators who become successful, but look down upon those who didn't quite make it. Don't let them stop you. You only have a short amount of time in this world, so make the best of it and keep pushing.
My best friends have prodded each other with the phrase "you only live once." Joking about death made me realize a few things. The fear of death seems to be the ultimate unknown. It's like waiting for a train that never comes on time but suddenly arrives when you close your eyes long enough. Inevitability can open new pathways we never before realized. Acknowledging death will arrive when it wants to means you have no control over the situation. So don't just sit around waiting for the train to arrive, get out of that damn subway and live every single day like you know its going to come.
Thanks Steve, you've really brought to light some important ideas about the uncertainty of life. I hope we take his passing as a sign of life going on rather than simply a life ending.
