Last night, I was writing a post about lessons I remembered from a book long read. The book is called ‘The Last Lecture’ by Randy Pausch, which is a non-fiction biography of life experiences. I fell asleep writing it and woke up this morning to the passing of Steve Jobs.
I do have an affinity for Apple, but I’ve never really put much thought into its founder – besides the fact that he’s brilliant, persistent and an incredible entrepreneur. Nevertheless, it was like a punch in the gut to hear it, especially as BFM (a Malaysian business radio network) played his speech to the Stanford class of 2005.
I had never heard it before, and so the 3 simple points (1. Connect the Dots, 2. Love & Loss, 3.Death) struck me deeply enough that I stayed back in the car to listen to the whole speech despite the fact that it would make me late to class. I regret nothing (and my lecturer barely blinked an eye as I walked late into the lecture theater).
I realized that I waste too much time – thinking, worrying, fearing. I realized that often times you’re going to fall short of people’s expectations anyway, so the best bet is to just count your own. I realized that no one can make you feel unpretty or unconfident unless you let them. I realized that it is important to go after what you want – and if you can’t get it, then redirect your focus or keep trying.
As I was musing the words of Jobs and Pausch, I saw this graphic text on Tumblr, and felt like it consolidated my thoughts. The source is unknown, but the content is pure.
This post has no rhyme or reason – kind of like my thought process – but few things I know for sure: Rejection is better than not knowing (and you never hurt as bad as you think you will). Talking about something is better than repressing it (surround yourself with the right kind of people and trust them). You’ll be absolutely fine if you let yourself be (happiness is a habit and choice). Part of loving someone is letting them go (cherish friendships, and move on). Whether you’re doing something right or wrong, someone is going to love you and someone is going to hate you – do it anyway.
I’ll sign off with these few quotes:
“”Sometimes a wrong turn will bring you to exactly the right place.” Ooi Jie Joe (Joey)
“Time is all you have and you may find one day that you have less than you think.” Randy Pausch
*Full text for Steve Jobs’ speech.
This post has no rhyme or reason – kind of like my thought process – but few things I know for sure: Rejection is better than not knowing (and you never hurt as bad as you think you will). Talking about something is better than repressing it (surround yourself with the right kind of people and trust them). You’ll be absolutely fine if you let yourself be (happiness is a habit and choice). Part of loving someone is letting them go (cherish friendships, and move on). Whether you’re doing something right or wrong, someone is going to love you and someone is going to hate you – do it anyway. —->
THIS. srsly all of this. It just, that’s all that needs to be said and it is so beautifully put, too.
glad i have my .002 to make sure i don’t constipate into a prune/date.
<3 you jump, i jump.
okay not really, since i’m not a brain damaged marsupial and neither are you, i’d most likely yell at you for a bit and then haul your ass back, but its the thought that counts?