Yesterday the world lost not only a visionary in Steve Jobs, but a decent human being who understood what it means to really live. I don't claim to be an expert in the teachings of Mr. Jobs but it is hard to find argument in one of his quotes: "Your time is limited, don't waste it living someone else's life." Could this possibly be the answer to the age old question, what is the meaning of life? I think what Mr. Jobs meant, in part, is that the meaning of life is to live your own truth. Not just having the career you dream of, or the partner who completes you, but really navigating life via your own compass. For me, living the life that is mine means attempting to make my actions mirror what I believe is good and true. I fail so often but maybe the journey is the real goal. I think Mr. Jobs understood that success isn't measured in dollars, grades, prestige or how many Twitter followers you have but rather the legacy of actions you leave behind you. I hope that when my time comes I can go in peace knowing that I lived my life, my truth and, like a good girl scout, left the campsite cleaner than I found it.
It is horrifying to me that he was forced by his body to leave a family and a world he had such an impact on, so young. At the risk of sounding pathetically trite, I am so damn sick of cancer. Breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, skin cancer, colon cancer. Every expletive I know but have the maturity not to type (shit, who are we fooling?) comes to mind. The good news is I feel like the tides are turning and the rest of the world is really getting fed up too. Stand Up to Cancer and other foundations are kicking ass, stem cell research is booming, in other countries at least, and people everywhere with cancer are deciding to live as hard as they can, as long as they can. The attitude is changing from devastation to determination, cancer fighters are getting scrappy and I love it. Even as I am watching TV, a Warriors in Pink commercial is on!
I don't have cancer, by the grace of God my family is healthy, but so many people I know and love are fighting like champions. The least I can do is support them, so I am doing the unthinkable, putting my words to action and getting off my lard ass to run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. I literally can't wait to get out there and be moved by the survivors, the families and the thousands of men, women and children who are coming together to say, "We've had it!". I am so excited to be a part of it and I hope that I can make all you women proud by finishing!
No comments:
Post a Comment