As I was thinking about what I would write, I realized that this has been a very emotional week for SMU. As a community, we have been forced to face the reality of death. Yet, we have also celebrated meaningful moments in life.
The juxtaposition of the overwhelming excitement, pride and joy that we felt as we stormed the field after our victory at TCU versus the heavy and profound sadness at hearing the tragic news of losing a beautiful young SMU woman, Ally Owens, seems like the difference between night and day—or perhaps life and death.
And yesterday, the news of Steve Jobs’ death shocked the world. But, as always, he perceived what we would need before even we did. Jobs left the world sound advice, which has never resonated so deeply. He said, “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life because almost everything—all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure—these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.” I can’t help but be certain that Jobs is right (not the first time that phrase has been uttered, I’m sure).
In high school, a brilliant teacher once told me that at the most basic level, things can only be defined in terms of what they are like or what they are not. In this case, perhaps life is defined by the existence of death. While the question of what comes after life is ever debated and ever questioned, the reality of human death cannot be argued. Therefore, life cannot be conceptualized without considering death.
Per Jobs’ comments, it would seem that death puts life into perspective. Instead of being a paralyzing and depressing reality, death reminds us to live each day daringly, vivaciously and creatively. But most importantly, it prioritizes that which is truly important.
In the quotidian activities that never fail to fill (and often overflow) a schedule, are we really doing what is most important to us? Are the most significant relationships and goals really taking precedence in the daily allocation of our precious time?
To reconsider this periodically seems a worthwhile endeavor, perhaps even a duty. Hopefully, like Jobs, this contemplation will result in the courage “to make the big choices in life.”
Pondering this, I ran across a response to Jobs’ death. Scott Robbins, a 34-year-old barber from San Francisco said, “To some people, this is like Elvis Presley or John Lennon. It’s a change in our times. It’s the end of an era. It’s like the end of the innovators.” Well, no offense to Mr. Robinson, but I disagree.
Much like the release of a new product by Apple, this is not the end. After each unveiling, Apple continues to improve the product, to adequate it to an eager market. So too now Jobs’ legacy is the reminder that for every error, there is the opportunity for betterment, that with audacity and individuality, the opportunity for innovation. It is simply a matter of courageously making the life choice.
This lesson may be the best way to cope with the absurdity of the intertwined nature of life and death. To ignore either impedes our ability to understand and respond to the other. So instead, I am choosing to embrace life—the big decisions and the tough moments along with the exciting accomplishment and the simple joys. I think Ally and Steve, two extraordinary role models who lived life to the fullest, would be pleased.
Adriana Martinez is a senior majoring in political science, history, public policy, and French. She can be reached for comment at [email protected]
