Third Story: Death

2005 Standford University

"My third story is about death," Steve Jobs said in his now famous “The Commencement Speech, delivered in the throes of pancreatic cancer. His third story was an intimate personal story--a story that resonates to a universal human story. 

I've spent thirty years putting death into its proper context. Steve Jobs did so in this single speech.  He spoke from personal experience with brevity, sensitivity, and just the right tone and authority for our age. That’s why it’s appearing everywhere, offering sobering inspiration. For example, CNN played the speech in its entirety during the morning broadcast following Mr. Jobs’ death.

“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.”

The he told the newly minted graduates, “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.”

Such carpe diem counsel is nothing new.

I'm completing a book, Wisdom for the Ages: A Season with Ecclesiastes that highlights Ecclesiastes down-to-earth philosophy of life, dating from 2300 years ago.  It draws from an even older vein of wisdom found on 4000-year-old Babylonian tablets, collected as the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Similar advice comes from a variety of ages and cultures:  Experience and gain knowledge. Enjoy life with the one whom you love. Work hard and enjoy the fruits of your toil-- figuratively, wine and bread in moderation.  Don't let the things you pursue and acquire overwhelm you.  Never forget, even in your youth, that death is your fate.

Steve Jobs’ death is a "Big Chill" moment for Baby Boomers.  We’ve paused and are reflecting.

He's given us incredible technologies. He's also given us something more valuable via that simple, remarkable speech, yet another expression of a timeless philosophy of life: know that you are mortal and that your death can come at any moment; nevertheless, live and enjoy the life you have to its fullness.  

And by example, he recommended that when death comes, meet it with dignity, grace, and no regrets.