Motherly Advice: Connecting the Dots

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

~Henry David Thoreau

My Twitter and Facebook streams have been clogged with videos, quotes, photos, stories, clever remarks and tributes about Steve Jobs for the last few days. I'm not an Apple devotee. The only Apple product I have ever owned {and I still do} is an iPod Shuffle. And yet, I felt a deep sadness when I saw the headline announcing his death.

I tried to figure out why I felt this sorrow over someone I had not known in the least. I explained to the Darling Boys that someone with great spirit had died. They were concerned that someone had died and wanted to know who he was.

I told them that Mr. Jobs had been a dreamer, an experimenter, an inventor, a risk taker, and that he had created Pixar which in turn created their favorite movies of all time, Toys Story and Cars. I talked to the Darlings about how much the world needs people like this; people who are not afraid to take risks and who know they will figure out where to go after taking each broad leap of faith towards a goal or an idea they feel passionate about.

Later, I listened to his keynote address at a Stanford commencement. Then, I realized why I felt such grief over the passing of a man I knew very little about.

Merely knowing that Mr. Jobs was out there designing, creating and innovating made me feel good about our world; simply knowing his story offered possibility in a world with very little; just knowing that someone with such a brilliant mind, with such capabilities, was out there gave me confidence in my generation and in our youngsters; and I know that somewhere out there is the next Steve Jobs.

It's not the people who follow all the rules; punching a clock day in and day out; it's not the ones who only talk about their dreams and missed opportunities; it matters not whether a person goes to an elite school or drives a fancy car or lives on the right street in the best neighborhood.

It's never giving up on yourself; it's taking leap of faith after leap of faith; it's following your dreams in earnest; it's finding what you love and doing it.

My favorite story from Mr. Jobs is about connecting all the dots in your life, and it goes something like this: You can't connect the dots as you go along because you can't see where you're headed. Mr. Jobs said it's about looking back and connecting the dots and seeing how it all fits together and makes sense at the end of the day. Mr. Jobs stressed that you have to trust that the dots will connect in the future, and you'll find what you love. {I'm paraphrasing here and using my own words, but it's a great speech. You should listen to it for yourself.}

I do this all the time; I just hadn't realized it. There are so many things that at the time you think, "Oh, woe is me. Why is this happening?" And yet, in a few months or a few years, it's plain to see that the cursed occurrence was actually a blessing in disguise connecting dots.

And on the flip side, when great things are happening or you meet the right person or have an opportunity before you, it may not see so momentous or you may not understand why these things or happening or realize the course you are on. Then, one day you will turn around and gaze down the trail you have just blazed and clear as day, dot to dot to dot it will all makes sense.

May you rest in peace, Mr. Jobs. You have inspired so many to pursue their dreams in hopes of connecting the dots at the end of the day. Thank you for your undying courage in life.

It’s Saturday…. Go eat some chocolate {this actually applies to everyday}.  It’s good for you, and you deserve it!

 Anna

Nota Bene:  I hold these truths to be self-evident, that all parents and kids are not created equally, but are wholly individual in personality and style.  Regardless of these differences, the basic needs of love, patience and support remain constant.  Here are the weekly affirmations, tips and reminders.  Unless otherwise noted, these are entirely my opinion.  Take them with a grain of salt, or not!

 

Comments

[Lindsay Askins]

Love it! Love it! Love it! I feel exactly the same about all that has been stated and about the man himself. I, howevr, have been using only Apple products my entire life and am concerned the company won't quite as innovative and creative without Jobs at the helm. We'll see... Thanks for sharing!

[Heidi]

I just ate 6 pieces of chocolate. For you and for Mr. Jobs.

[pb]

That a girl, Heidi! You're my kind of woman!
Great post Anna!