How ironic that I read about the passing of Steve Jobs on the very device he so brilliantly helped create – an iPhone. I stood there as tweets came pouring in about how we lost a genius. After hearing the news, I went to my “Steve Jobs” email folder and read through various inspirational quotes, stories, and videos I have saved through the years. I kept this folder to go to on days I feel less than brilliant and need some reassurance. It was easy to find inspiration from Steve Jobs. The first email quote I opened read:
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
Namaste Steve Jobs. I will remember how you used your genius to keep us connected. I will remember that you honored your ability to think different. I will remember you for teaching me to think different and bigger. I am grateful to you for giving me the tools to connect and grow – how I used my iTunes and iPod to carry many years of music, how I used my iPhone to meet and connect with my family in Louisiana, how I used my iPad to grow my business, and how I bought an iMac that allowed me to make a “It Gets Better” video. I have downloaded apps that have allowed me to use my creative genius. I knew this day was going to come. I just had no idea how sad I was going to feel. And while I may be an “Apple groupie”, what I have really admired is his ability to share his genius and his determination to keep going when many times along the way he could have quit.
How has Steve Jobs influenced your life? How will you remember Steve Jobs?
I hope we continue to “stay hungry” and “stay foolish.”
Mary Anne