People are constantly looking for motivation, even to complete the smallest of tasks like get out of bed in the morning or survive eight hours at an awful job. Humans crave inspiration so much, we even look to the last words of some of the greatest minds in history for any encouragement to keep moving forward.
Richard Branson, a man who’s accomplished more in a lifetime than a majority of people in the world, still looks for inspiration. The guy is worth billions and lived five lives in one lifetime and still needs a kick in the ass. On his blog, Branson discusses finding inspiration in the famous last words of Apple founder Steve Jobs. Both in Steve’s real last words and the sentences being attributed to him posthumously.
I was recently forwarded a much-shared text that purports to list the last words of Steve Jobs. A quick search will reveal that these particular words are not actually the Apple founder’s final remarks.
The text Branson is referring to are..
The last words of Steve Jobs
I have come to the pinnacle of success in business.
In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success.
However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed.
At this time, lying on the hospital bed and remembering all my life, I realize that all the accolades and riches of which I was once so proud, have become insignificant with my imminent death.
In the dark, when I look at green lights, of the equipment for artificial respiration and feel the buzz of their mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of my approaching death looming over me.
Only now do I understand that once you accumulate enough money for the rest of your life, you have to pursue objectives that are not related to wealth.
It should be something more important:
For example, stories of love, art, dreams of my childhood.
No, stop pursuing wealth, it can only make a person into a twisted being, just like me.God has made us one way, we can feel the love in the heart of each of us, and not illusions built by fame or money, like I made in my life, I cannot take them with me.
I can only take with me the memories that were strengthened by love.
This is the true wealth that will follow you; will accompany you, he will give strength and light to go ahead.
Love can travel thousands of miles and so life has no limits. Move to where you want to go. Strive to reach the goals you want to achieve. Everything is in your heart and in your hands.
What is the world’s most expensive bed? The hospital bed.
You, if you have money, you can hire someone to drive your car, but you cannot hire someone to take your illness that is killing you.
Material things lost can be found. But one thing you can never find when you lose: life.
Whatever stage of life where we are right now, at the end we will have to face the day when the curtain falls.
Please treasure your family love, love for your spouse, love for your friends…
Treat everyone well and stay friendly with your neighbours.
Unfortunately, those might not be Steve’s words at all, according to his sister who was there when he passed on last year.
His real last words – “Oh wow, oh wow, oh wow” – were beautifully shared by his sister Mona Simpson. “His tone was affectionate, dear, loving, but like someone whose luggage was already strapped onto the vehicle, who was already on the beginning of his journey, even as he was sorry, truly deeply sorry, to be leaving us,” she wrote in the New York Times.
Now while the “fake” Jobs quotes are inspirational, there’s something to be said about his actual last words on this earth. The reason humans seek such guidance on a daily basis is because we’re all forever outrunning death and fear that this life will truly be the only one we get to live. Now while the first passages are great, Jobs’s declaration of awe in his repeated muttering of “oh wow” leave me much more motivated. Perhaps Steve was already on his way to another place, a place we go after this life, and this human form is actually the only shot humans get to make their mark.
Life is a little easier to live if there’s even a slight chance at a next gen.
[via Virgin]