Steve Jobs: How to Live a Happy, Healthy Life
By Harold Miller
Email: hmiller@mcsmms.com
Steven Jobs, billionaire and CEO-co-founder of Apple Inc. died in October 2011 at age 58.
He did not live to enjoy the Golden Years, but as he lay dying of cancer, he penned an essay that stands as a roadmap for all who wish to have a happy healthy life:
“I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world. In some others’ eyes my life is the epitome of success. However, aside for work, I have little joy. In the end, my wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to. At this moment, lying on my bed and recalling my life I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in have become meaningless in the face of my death.
“You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone bear your sickness for you. Material things lost can be found or replaced. But there is one thing that can never be replaced — life.
“Whichever stage of life you are in right now, the six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence and friends. Maintain them in all phases and enjoy a healthy life. With time you will face the day when the curtain comes down.
“Treasure love for your family, love for your spouse and love for your friends. Treat yourself well and cherish others. As we grow older and hopefully wiser, we realize that a $300 or a $30 watch both tell the same time. You will realize that your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world. Whether you fly first class or economy, if the plane goes down — you go down with it.
“Therefore, I hope that you realize when you have mates, buddies, old friends, and brothers and sisters who you chat with, talk with, sing songs with, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth — that is true happiness! Don’t educate your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. So when they grow up, they will know the value of things and not the price. Eat your food as your medicine; otherwise you have to eat medicine as your food.
“The one who loves you will never leave you for another because, even if there are 100 reasons to give up, he or she will find a reason to hold on. There is a big difference between being a human being and being human. Only a few really understand it. You are loved when you are born and you are loved when you die. In between you have to manage!”