HE'S BEEN DEAD FOR OVER 10 YEARS. HOWEVER, HIS WISDOM STILL REACHES ALL OF US

Hello there! Today, I'd like to share three significant stories as part of Steve Jobs' commencement address at Stanford University in 2005. This speech reflects on his personal experiences and the lessons he learned from them. The stories he tells emphasize the importance of following your intuition, pursuing your passions, and finding value in seemingly unrelated experiences. That each holding a unique lesson that has guided me through my journey. These tales might seem ordinary on the surface, but within them lie profound insights that have molded my perspective and choices.

Story 1: Connecting the Dots - Embracing the Unpredictable

Let's rewind to my college days at Reed School. Initially enthusiastic, I surprised everyone, including myself, by leaving after a mere six months. However, my connection with the institution didn't end abruptly. I continued as a drop-in for an additional year and a half. What led me to this decision? The dots began connecting even before I was born.

My biological mother, a young unwed graduate student, made the brave choice to put me up for adoption. Her strong belief was that I should be raised by college graduates. The script was ready: adoption by a lawyer and his wife. Yet, fate took a twist upon my arrival, they had a change of heart and preferred a girl. This unexpected twist led to my parents, who were on a waiting list, receiving a midnight call asking if they wanted an unexpected baby boy. They embraced the opportunity, unaware that my biological mother later found out they lacked formal education. This unique beginning set the stage for my extraordinary journey.

Fast forward 17 years, I found myself in college, only to realize I was pursuing something disconnected from my passions. A college decision that almost mirrored Stanford's tuition strained my working-class parents' savings. With uncertainty clouding my path, I made a bold choice to quit and trust that everything would fall into place. Despite the fear, looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Dropping out allowed me to explore subjects that genuinely intrigued me, unburdened by the conventional coursework. I learned to embrace uncertainty and navigate life outside the usual norms, discovering hidden treasures along the way.

A pivotal example of this unexpected enrichment was at Reed School, where calligraphy instruction flourished. I, driven by curiosity, decided to take a calligraphy class. Little did I know that this seemingly unrelated skill would later play a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetics of the groundbreaking Macintosh computer. Looking back, the dots I followed might have seemed unrelated, but they eventually converged into a meaningful narrative.

The takeaway? Life's twists and turns often lead to unforeseen treasures. You might not understand the connections looking forward, but trust that they will become evident when you look back. Your journey might be unconventional, but each dot contributes to your unique path.

Story 2: Love and Loss - The Catalyst for Transformation

I co-founded Apple from my parent's garage at the tender age of 20. A decade of hard work led Apple to become a two billion dollar company with thousands of employees. We recently unveiled our game-changing invention, the Mac. But then, unexpected turbulence struck. I was fired from the company I started.

How does one get fired from their own creation? It happened as Apple expanded, and I hired someone I believed could lead alongside me. However, differing visions and clashes arose. A board decision favored him, and suddenly, I found myself ousted. The blow was devastating, leaving me feeling like I had let down a generation of entrepreneurs. I even considered leaving the tech scene entirely.

Yet, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged. I realized that my love for innovation remained intact. Instead of retreating, I chose to start anew. This decision led to the creation of NEXT and Pixar, two game-changing ventures. Through Pixar, we crafted the world's first computer-animated feature film, Toy Story, and Apple's eventual acquisition of NEXT marked a new era of innovation.

Unbeknownst to me, this setback became a catalyst for my most creative phase. Sometimes, life's harshest lessons propel us into transformative chapters. What I learned is that setbacks don't define us. It’s our love for what we do that guides us through adversity.

Story 3: Embracing Mortality - The Ultimate Perspective Shifter

A quote that resonated deeply with me at 17 was, "Live each day as if it were your last." This statement etched a profound perspective into my life, and for the past 33 years, I've looked at myself in the mirror every morning, pondering a powerful question: If today were my last day, would I be content with how I'm spending it?

This daily introspection instills a sense of urgency as a reminder that our time is limited. Mortality becomes a compass, guiding me towards meaningful choices. This mindset strips away superficial concerns, like external expectations or the fear of failure, leaving behind what truly matters. The essence of this practice is embracing life fully, making each day count, and ensuring that the moments we spend align with our true aspirations.

So there you have it in three stories that have shaped my journey: the power of connecting unexpected dots, the resilience that blooms from love and loss, and the ultimate perspective shift that comes from embracing our own mortality. Each story offers a valuable insight, a lens through which we can navigate the complexities of life. Remember, your path might not follow a conventional trajectory, but each experience contributes to your unique story. Embrace uncertainty, trust your intuition, and savor every moment after all, each day is a chance to rewrite your narrative. Stay hungry, stay foolish, and above all, stay true to yourself.