Before Steve Jobs passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 56, he shared some personal reflections on life.
He had built an empire and reached the very top of the business world—what many would call the ultimate success. But in his final days, he saw things differently.
“In the eyes of others, my life looked like a success story. But aside from work, I didn’t have much real joy. At the end of the day, wealth is just something I got used to.
Now, lying in a hospital bed and looking back, I realize all the recognition, the money, the achievements—they lose meaning when you’re facing death.
You can pay someone to drive your car or help run your business. But you can’t hire someone to carry your pain or face your illness for you.
You can replace material things. But there’s one thing you can’t get back once it’s gone—life.
When you’re on the way into surgery, you start to realize: there’s still one book you haven’t finished—the book of living a healthy life.
No matter what phase of life you’re in, the curtain will fall for all of us one day. So focus on what truly matters: love your family, love your partner, love your friends.
Take care of yourself. Appreciate others.”
As we get older, we start to understand certain truths:
- A $300 watch and a $30 one tell the same time.
- Whether your wallet costs $300 or $30, what’s inside is what matters.
- A $150,000 car or a $30,000 car both drive on the same roads and reach the same destinations.
- A $300 bottle of wine and a $10 bottle might give you the same hangover.
- Whether you live in 300 or 3,000 square feet, loneliness feels the same.
Real happiness doesn’t come from material things.
First class or economy—if the plane goes down, it goes down with everyone.
So what truly matters? It’s those friendships, the people you laugh with, sing with, talk about life with. That is happiness.
Here are five powerful reminders about life:
- Don’t raise your kids to chase money. Raise them to be happy—so they learn the value of things, not just the price.
- Eat your food like it’s your medicine, or one day you’ll be eating medicine like it’s food.
- Someone who truly loves you won’t leave you. Even with a hundred reasons to give up, they’ll find one reason to stay.
- There’s a big difference between being a human and being human. Not everyone gets it.
- You were loved when you were born. You’ll be loved when you die. In between, you have to figure it out.
And here are six of the best “doctors” you’ll ever have:
- Sunlight
- Rest
- Exercise
- Healthy food
- Self-confidence
- Good friends
Keep those six in your life, and you’ll be ahead of the game.
And remember:
If you want to walk fast, walk alone.
But if you want to walk far—walk together.