I got the CNN Alert on my iPad when the news broke out yesterday. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, dies at 56. This is a news that I wasn’t prepared for. And then my iPhone rang and I had family and friends sharing their shock on his passing away. Working on my MacBook Pro, I felt surrounded with Steve Jobs in every way and the impact was far greater since I live and work almost in the backyard of Cupertino. I was in so much shock as if I had lost someone I had known personally. And even right now, it feels like I knew him and I am confident most of the people have the same experience.

Steve Jobs was an underdog who taught us that if we believed in our gut, intuition or anything that matters to us, it made life worth living AND dying for. At 56, he achieved success that exceeded perhaps his own expectations of success. He prepared hard for what he achieved in the last ten years of his life. If Apple surpassed Exxon Mobil just briefly as the most valuable company, it was a tribute to the team behind Apple and Steve Jobs.

A Legend: A legend today may be someone of noted celebrity, with larger-than-life accomplishments, whose fame is well-known. And Steve was one.

A Leader : A leader is someone who leads and Steve led not only his team but the world into a new realm of possibility with his products.

A Legacy : His gifts of his ideas and designs changed how we live and will always shape the future.

Lessons Learned:

It is never too late. He came back to Apple and in last ten years left a mark in the world.
Do what you love: Though we share a common destination in death, life is all about searching for what you love and doing what you love and loving what you do.
Make it count: Everyday we have an opportunity to do something that we believe in, be unreasonable about it and make EVERYDAY count.

I am sad, very sad today. And my best wishes go to his family. I don’t think Silicon Valley is the same today as it mourns its best pioneer. I don’ think the world is the same today as Steve lived up to his word “He made a dent in the Universe“. And this dent is irreparable. Forever.

Miss you and love you, Steve. Rest in peace.