Steve Jobs: 1955 – 2011

Apple co-founder, chairman, and former longtime CEO Steve Jobs has passed away today at 56 years old.

The legendary visionary had been plagued with health problems for many years that caused him to take multiple leaves of absence during his tremendously successful reign over one of the world's most valuable companies.

His passing comes just one day after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone model. The iPhone, first launched in 2007, continued the legacy of the iPod and has had dramatic effects, in combo with the iPad, on the mobile industry globally.

See Apple's tribute here.

If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I'm about to do today?

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. 

No one wants to die. And yet… death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be. Because death is very likely the single best invention of life.