Midlife Passion

“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, 1955-2011

We all come into the world naked and we’ll likely be naked when we leave it. Yet we spend an incredible amount of time trying to hide our nakedness.

Being vulnerable doesn’t come easily for most of us. We feel naked when we’re truly seen by others. We try to protect and insulate ourselves. We spend much more time being who we think we’re supposed to than we ever do just being who we really are. Why does it seem so important?

Truth be told, it’s not. What’s truly important is helping others. It’s that connection with others that gives deep meaning to our lives. It’s impossible to have that connection without opening ourselves up and following our heart.

Life is short. We all know that yet carry on as if we’ll be here forever; thinking that there’s always one more day, one more chance. We’ve simply got to stop living this way. We’ve got to wake up to the world around us and embrace it, living fully with joy and gratitude.

Steve Jobs was a remarkably insightful man and had it right when he said “remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” Let’s not wait until we’re facing our own mortality to decide what’s really important.

Life isn’t something that happens to us. It’s what we create. It’s the people, the creativity, the energy and the passion that we exude every day. That’s life. So live it that way. See things differently. Change the world. Inspire others. Have the courage to be who you really are.

And follow your heart. You’re already naked.