This will be the first post under “Inspiration”, where I hope to add items that inspire me. And perhaps they’ll do the same for you.
These are a few of the many links to Steve Jobs’ Commencement Speech to the 2005 graduating class of Stanford University:
Stanford News Service
Audio versions
AppleMatters
Some points that I found really cool:
He said that one can only connect the dots of one’s life when looking backward, not looking forward, and so “you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”
By dots, Jobs was referring to important events in one’s life — events that a series of isolated incidences, experiences or moments. These periods of time will ultimately have a bearing on your future, and he gives the example of how a calligraphy class gave him the sense of aesthetics that figured into how Apple products are always so well-designed.
For me, I find that my background in comic book illustration, storyboarding, computer programming, as well as office work/administration, have provided me the fuel to run this photography business.
Which brings us to Jobs’ second point in the speech: “And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
I AM settling now, because I’ve found what I love to do: taking and creating great photographs. However, even though I’ve settled on being a photographer, I’m still continually studying inspiring work from other photographers and visual artists, including fine arts, and filmmakers. It’s going to be exciting to continue to learn and grow in this profession.
And lastly, Steve Jobs’ speech was about death. He mentioned the quote, “If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.” It can be profound when you think of it, but at the same time, it’s a fact of life. Sometimes people take things too seriously when in the grand scheme of things, whatever is at issue may not be all that important.
I enjoy speeches like these. They remind one to step back and take a look at the bigger picture, to remember to take a breath or two, to stop and smell the roses, and all those other cool sayings we have.
Anyway, try one of the above links if you haven’t already read/heard the speech.