Happy Friday, By My Side friends.
I am reaching out to you today with my September message. Wondering if any of you watched Queen Elizabeth II funeral on Monday. I woke up early to take in the historical event. I felt struck by the pagentry and the outpouring of love and admiration she received from her country and all around the world.
A woman born into royalty and aristocracy through no fault of her own, who lived a remarkable 96 years of duty and service to her country. Her christian world view kept her grounded in God’s values, despite her riches. Her dignity and grace was so profound that the world showed up to honour and mourn a life well lived.
Today, I want to share with you a message about another person who stepped into the spotlight of riches, fame and success. Co-founder, chairman and CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs. I came across the last words of Steve Job, who died at 56 years of age. His message was so profound that it touched me very deeply. This was what Steve had to say on his death bed.
” I have reached the pinnacle of success in business. In other people’s lives, my life is a success. However aside from work, I’ve had little joy. At the end of the day, wealth is just a fact I’ve gotten used to.
Right now, lying in my hospital bed, reminiscing about my life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth I took so much pride in, has faded and become meaningless in the face of imminent death. You can hire someone to drive your car and make money for you but you can’t hire sopmeone to stand sick and die for you.
Material things lost can be found again. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost: Life. Whatever stage of life we are currently at, in time we will face the day the curtain closes.
Love your family, spouse, children and friends. Treat them right. Cherish them.
As we get older and wiser, we slowly realize that wearing a $300 or $30 watch both give the same time. Whether we have a $300 or $30 wallet or purse, the amount inside is the same. Whether we drive a $150,000 car or a $30,000 car, the road and distance are the same and we reach the same destination.
Whether we drink a $1000 or $10 bottle of wine, the hangover is still the same. Whether the house we live in is 100 or 1000 square meters, loneliness is the same. Whether you travel first class or economy class, if the plane crashes, you go down with it.
You will realize that true happiness does not come from material things of this world. Therefore, I hope you realize when you have friends, brothers, sisters, with whom you discuss, laugh, talk, sing, talk about north-south-east-west or heaven and earth… this is real happiness.
An indisputable fact of life: Don’t raise your children to be rich. Educate them to be happy. When they grow up, they will know the value of things and not the price. How beautiful life is!
Two very different, extremely wealthy individuals, whose values in life appeared to be quite different. Definitely some good “food for thought” to think about for this month.
Have a great weekend everyone. MJ xo
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