This past Wednesday Steve Jobs , CEO and co-founder of Apple Inc. (Apple), lost his battle with cancer. This summer Mr. Jobs stepped down from his post in Apple. At a news conference he explained his reason for leaving Apple.  Mr. Jobs simply stated that he could not longer perform his duties as expected and, thus, it was time to step aside and allow someone else to lead the company. It was clear that Mr. Jobs had lost a considerable amount of weight and his movements appeared strained. Most people rightly concluded that Apple CEO was gravely ill and was resigning his post to be with his family. Mr. Jobs’ always placed great importance on maintaining his family’s privacy. The manner in which he resigned did not surprise anyone who had followed his career.

There are not enough words to adequately describe Steve Jobs. He was a visionary and a creative genius. Mr. Jobs understood too well what the market  needed and how to fulfill that need. Apple’s products were innovative and trend setting. During his stewardship Apple’s already good products continued to be improved, besides being technologically superior to the competition. Everyone agrees that Mr. Jobs was a  marketing expert that put the show into business. In late August of this year Apple moved past Microsoft Inc. as the world’s most valuable technology company. Steve Jobs did not shy away from a good idea because its implementation required that risks be taken. I believe that he managed Apple as he did his personal life; he was not afraid to do what he believed should be done.

What most impresses me about Mr. Jobs is his strong belief in living life to the fullest. For a man who was bestowed with so much talent, Steve Jobs was amazingly humble and down to earth. He was a simple man in the romantic sense of the word. Mr. Jobs’ fine qualities as a human being were displayed during his 2005 Stanford commencement address.  He started his speech by telling the audience that he never graduated from college and was honored to have been selected as the commencement speaker.

Mr. Jobs divided his address into three parts. He talked about his experience as a student at Reed College. On the subject of education Mr. Jobs told the graduating class that what they had learned during their time in school would be applicable at some future time. Next he talked about the need for patience, faith and perseverance in pursuing your dreams. “Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that  the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love.” Everyone understood that he was saying that you will be  more successful and happy doing something you love to do.

Steve Jobs concluded his address by talking about the certainty of death and living life to its fullest. The crowd was stunned and quiet when he discussed his brush with death. He spoke about being diagnosed with having pancreatic cancer. The doctors had told him that he had only six months to live. He now had to get his affairs in order and say his goodbyes.The results of the biopsy indicated that Mr. Jobs’ cancer was treatable by surgery. He underwent surgery and the cancerous mass was successfully removed. Steve Jobs expressed his relief and gratitude for being given a second chance at life. What he said next will motivate future generations for eternity;

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.”

“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. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary”

Steve Jobs has passed on but his wisdom and love will always  inspire us.