"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.
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." -- Steve Jobs
I love this quote from Steve Jobs. It reminds me of the many small battles I have had to fight throughout my life to follow my own dreams and desires and to shut out the world and its naysayers. Upon entering adulthood, my life did not start out very promising due to some physical, and emotional health issues and severe financial and relationship difficulties.
Going to college in my mid-thirties to become a teacher was one of many big and satisfying steps I have taken during my journey toward progress and healing. Walking into that first college classroom was the culmination of many years spent dreaming and wondering if I could really do it, as well as watching and waiting for the right time.
There are always many obstacles in the way of our wants and dreams. The primary obstacles include a lack of funds, lack of time, fear of failure ( that is a big one for many) and worry over what other people think of us. If you can get past those last two concerns, then it a matter of planning, maneuvering and scheming ( I use the word scheme in a positive sense) until you are in a position to take the opportunity.
If you are too concerned with stepping out of your comfort zone, shaking up your life a bit or facing failure, then the timing and financial issues are not going to matter anyway, because you will never take that first step.
To me, Steve Job's point is to not let anyone or anything get in the way of making positive changes that will help you become whatever you want.
When my life ends, I hope I can leave peacefully, with the satisfaction of knowing that I pushed myself to obtain small and large successes along the way and make meaning out of my life.
