Steve Jobs died on October 5. I think the Commencement address he delivered to Stanford graduates in 2005 is just about the best example of what it means to live a value-driven life.  It is straight to the point.  And here is the most eloquently stated description of the role of death in the process of living fully:

“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 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.”–Steve Jobs

What I also appreciate about Steve is that he was one of those highly successful people with a “checkered past.”  He was not afraid to expose himself to failure, which, by the way, is how we learn best.

Read the entire address. It will inspire!