“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. 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. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” ~Steve Jobs — Stanford University commencement address, June 2005.

Today we lost a true legend and icon, Steve Jobs. I’m not going to shy away from saying that  he can even be compared to a modern day Thomas Edison. I usually have a goal with my blogs to share tips, educate or tell a story. However my “ode”  is more a stream of consciousness on how I feel, how I found out and what I’m thinking about regarding what’s happened today. It’s not lyrical or poetic in any way, but it’s real.  With Social Media being such a powerful communication tool, Steve Jobs’ death was amplified and spread within seconds. This alone amazes me. I was working away at my desk late after noon and I see a tweet pop up on Tweetdeck that I immediately thought was a rumor.

Steve Jobs Tweet

I found out about Michael Jackson’s death on Twitter. I found out about Osama Bin Ladin’s death on Twitter and now, Steve Jobs?! To confirm the news I tweeted to see if anyone could send me an official link. Sure enough I received the link within seconds. I’m truly grateful to have my online community to interact with during a time like this.

My next instinct was to Google it!

Seconds later I see a flood of other tweets related to Steve Jobs. I log on to Facebook and it’s no different. My heart skipped a beat. This is surreal I thought.

I remember being a kid with an Apple computer that had 2 colors: purple and green. My very first interaction with a computer, something I now use and rely on daily was an Apple. I’m by no means an Apple Fan girl, I own a couple iPods and my favorite music lists are purchased through iTunes, but that’s about it. Even though I’m not an Apple fanatic, I do recognize and appreciate the innovation from Steve Jobs to revolutionize much of the technology we use today.

I got goosebumps when I went on the Apple website. In fact I’m getting goosebumps again even as I’m writing this.

Today is truly a day that will go in history books. Although we lost Steve Jobs, his passion, inspiration and spirit will continue to live on each and every day. His entrepreneurial spirit is something I admire, respect and identify with. I feel blessed to live in a day and age where virtually anything is made possible through innovation and technology. Steve Jobs is a man who’s played a significant role in how we live, communicate and connect. I cannot continue to emphasize how grateful I am to be in an era where Steve Jobs lived his inspiration! I leave you with a quote from Steve Jobs that is near and dear to my heart, In the words of a visionary…

 “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” ~Steve Jobs