[ Steve Jobs obit -- cross-posted from Zenpundit ]
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Steve Jobs, February 24, 1955 - October 5, 2011

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

– from Steve Jobs‘ Commencement Address at Stanford University, June 2005