- Jack Layton - Canadian politician - Leader of the Official Opposition, Leader of the New Democratic Party. Used "hash tag fail" in the televised leaders debate before the last election. Received an official state funeral.
- Steve Jobs - Apple co-founder and CEO. Amazing marketer and driven visionary. Relentless (and possibly dangerous) in demanding excellence with simplicity.
- Al Davis - Owner of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. A driven and involved owner who had a huge role in his team and never had a "hands off" management style.
It feels like the old guard is passing on... passing the torch to the next generation. While Davis was an octogenarian, Jobs and Layton were still in their prime. Each was such a leader that their respective circles will take years to recover from losing them.
In response, there are two deep thoughts that resonate with me. The first is to take every day as it comes and to focus my energies on those who will outlive me. Specifically, I must spend time with my family and those closest to me. It's not easy and there are many distractions, but it is rewarding in both the short- and long-term.
Second, you can't take it with you... so live life with passion and joy. After all, on those days that life isn't passionate and joyful, don't you already feel like it was a waste? Find something that brings you joy and pursue it. Whether it's your work or your hobby or even just a dream, it's important to enjoy your time here (and even to plan for your hereafter!)
Take care out there!
Cheers,
Graham