Reminder From The Wise Men ::

Everyone is a teacher. Never has this adage been truer than this week, for me at least. My teachers in recent days have been Jack Layton & Steve Jobs. Layton, a Canadian politician and chief of the official opposition, passed away a few days ago after a ferocious battle against cancer. Then yesterday, Apple’s architect Steve Jobs, announced he was relinquishing his position as head of all things i-Cool to his COO, undoubtedly because of his frail health.

Like many other Canadians, I was paralyzed by Layton’s death. Quite a brilliant man with an ideology that if not always realistic, had the merit of at least being considerate and fair. His message was one of love and other politicians would be smart to take notes from it. As I write this, Steve Jobs is alive so I will have the délicatesse to not go into an obituary-like tribute.

Still, I do feel sympathy for Jobs and for his loved ones because whatever it is he’s going through right now, it’s not easy nor must it be pleasant. But in the same breath, I don’t feel sad for either Jack Layton nor for Steve Jobs. Here are two men who spent their entire respective lives bringing ideas forward. They each spent their days doing what they loved. And that, is a luxury. Just ask anybody who spends 8 hours a day doing something they don’t like or brings them no appreciation or sense of accomplishment.

It’s true, work is not life. Unless, you’re lucky enough to do something you love at which point it isn’t work. I would never be with someone I didn’t love deeply and I would never work at a job I didn’t love. When the love is gone, you have to leave and you have to die doing something you loved or being with someone you simply adore.

Thanks for the reminder, guys.