What did you tell your kids when they were growing up?
As parents we all had special messages that were meant to inspire, empower and build our kids into responsible, caring, contributing members of society and pave the way to success.
We wanted them to know that the world was their oyster and that they could become anything they wanted to with hard work. They were unique, one of a kind and had the power to make a difference. That sometimes failure happens on the way to success so you pick yourself up, dust yourself and keep going.
Find what you love and then go for it! Give everything you’ve got to everything you do. If you don’t know what to do…just start…it will all become clear. Be of service to others. Listen to your gut.
Did you impart messages like these? I did.
A friend and I were having coffee recently and remembering all the important things we wanted our kids to know. We chuckled as we realized, even today, we’re still reinforcing given the chance. Then we looked at each other, the penny dropping at the same time. When was the last time we told ourselves these things? These were our core beliefs and somehow we missed ourselves?
We laughed one of those incredulous, how-did-we-miss-this laughs. Oh geeeeeez…..It was time to walk the talk.
Steve Jobs delivered an amazing commencement address to Stanford students in 2005, six years before he died. I watched it when I got home that day after coffee. I pretended I was a member of the graduating class preparing to launch into life, well technically I was launching into life, only it was Part II. The messages were powerful and an exactly what I needed to hear.
Steve Jobs was one of a kind. He was brilliant. His legacy, deep and rich, will be impact people for a long time. He really got it.
reACTION [to change in the response to stimulus]: Day 20-Commencement address for Part II’ers
Congratulations Graduates. You are rich with experience and wisdom. You have much to give, much to teach and much still to discover.
“Your time is limited don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown your own inner voice. And more importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
Steve Jobs
Watch Steve Jobs Commencement address at Stanford 2005 or read Wall Street Journal text.
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