Steve Jobs on Death and Following Your Heart (Video)

Steve Jobs once famously said that "Death ... clears out the old to make way for the new,” and that it was "Life’s change agent." But that’s not all he said during that famous speech at Stanford University in 2005. He also sparked an exciting new prospect into the “hearts” of the graduating students.

Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address is one of the most viewed pieces of YouTube footage. And here’s why.

Jobs on death:

“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.”

Jobs on following your heart:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

The footage (absolutely sublime if you ask me) can be found embedded below. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts on Steve Jobs’ passing using the comments section.

I’m curious about something: how many of you were inspired to set out and do something big after watching this clip?