I only just realized that today happens to mark the 10th anniversary of the passing of Steve Jobs. In realizing this I began thinking to how in the past few years I’ve gone from seeing him in a purely negative light to, while not ignoring his human faults, seeing him as a kind of inspiration.
To that end I did what I’ve done many times and looked up quotes of his to be reminded of ideas he wanted to instill in others. Many of them regard the finality of life — we’re all only around for so long, and we should do our best to make the most of it.
Then I came across this particular quote — this one I feel represents me perfectly – why I am the way I am about so many things. I’ve always felt this, even if I haven’t known how to phrase it until, in some ways, now.
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma—which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
Steve Jobs
It’s perfect for me. I have made the mistake far too often of trying to be like someone else — living their life — and gotten into phases of obsessing over what others think far more than I should, as that’s what society makes us think really matter.
It isn’t, and it’s absurd to force yourself to conform to the hive mind simply because. You should indeed follow your heart, wherever that may lead. To me, that’s the key to being an individual.
That’s all I’ve got for this one. I just coudln’t let today end without sharing that — the timing, given my previous entry, was just too perfect.