You’ve Got to Find What You Love

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. — Steve Jobs

I know that people much better than I have been posting, tweeting, and facebooking about Steve Jobs these past hours. But this quote came across my news feed today and I had to share it. Because it applies to all of us, and especially to those of us who are truly following our passions (like all my fabulous writing friends).

In his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address, Steve Jobs said that “you’ve got to find what you love.” I’ve seen that principle at work in my own life. Yesterday, as I sat at my writing desk in front of the back windows, clicking on the keyboard and writing down notes, forgetting to eat until I was nauseous, glancing up from time to time to watch my dogs sunbathing on our grass weeds, I was beyond happy. I was filled with pure joy. I was doing what I love to do. We have less money right now, since I quit my day job, but no money is worth the joy and peace I’ve gained from filling my days with words, characters, storylines, and books. Steve Jobs filled his life with the things he loved. I hope he found the same peace that I have.

I hope you do too.