We all heard the news last evening that Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc. passed away from a rare form of pancreatic cancer. Many of us learned about his death on a device he created.

I did not know Steve personally, I am not a raving Apple fan, the only thing Apple that I own is an iPod, yet I feel like I have lost a friend.

Everyone thinks of Steve as the wealthy guy who made lots of money from computers.  But are you aware of his start?  Are you aware of how he became the person known around the world?

His mother was an unwed teenager who gave him up for adoption.  His adopted parents did not have much money.  He dropped out of college after six months.  He was homeless and walked several miles for a free meal after dropping out.   He crashed on friends floors and attended some classes he wasn’t enrolled in and then moved back home and started tinkering with computers in his dad’s garage.   After 10 years and he had reached a high level of success he was publicly humiliated and fired from his own company.   He created several other companies including Pixar.   He eventually was rehired by Apple and the rest is history, but he never tried to hide his roots or his background.  He was smart enough to realize it was what helped to shape him into the inspirational person he was.

Steve Jobs lived each day like it would be his last.  By doing so, he taught each of us that the inspired person who believes he can make a difference in the world, truly can bring about change.
 
Steve Jobs changed the world.  He transformed each of our lives.  He changed the way we view and communicate with the world.  He changed my life and inspired me.  Technology as we know it, is possible because of Steve Jobs.

In 2005, Jobs gave the commencement address at Stanford.  He talks about life and death.  If you have a few minutes, watch the video.  It is very moving.

The world lost a visionary leader last night.  But the world also lost someone who exemplified living in the public eye, up until he said good-bye.