As graduation season wraps up, I always enjoy listening to the commencement speeches given to the graduates to congratulate, inspire, and motivate them to go out and set the world ablaze. Although meant for a student body whose current education term has come to a conclusion, the wise words spoken can be applied to anyone and encourage them refocus on their goals.

The one below is from Steve Jobs at Stanford University. I never knew the adversities this man conquered from being given up at birth to a college dropout. The highlight for me was when Jobs says “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 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”.

I hope this speech shows you when circumstances don’t turn out as intended, there is something far greater waiting for you on the other side & that death is inevitable, and with that knowledge, you are inspired to live each day as if it's your last.