Steve & Stephen: Two Lives One Lesson

A short thought on Stephen Hawking's death anniversary. 

"It is far better to live your own path imperfectly then to live another perfectly" Bhagwad Gita

Stephen Hawking and Steve Jobs the two icons of our generation had a very contrasting life experience. Stephen was physically immobile but lived a longer life, Steve on the other was physically mobile but lived a short life.

In their contrasting life journey, there is an important life lesson for all of us. "It does not matter what you have, what matters is what you do with what you have."

We all have certain shortcomings and certain unique talents and passion. And we have two choices, worry and sulk over the shortcoming or find inspiration in the passion and work on it to create impact. 

Steve and Stephen ignored their shortcoming, found, focused and followed their passion and created a path breaking impact in the field of science and technology. But unfortunately, that is not the case with the large number of us, we sulk, we curse and we get dejected by focusing on shortcoming.

How do we deal with shortcoming and how to find the passion and purpose?

On dealing with our shortcoming:  Stephen Hawking inspiration thoughts were "And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at, what matters is that you don't just give up"

While on the other hand, the challenge with unique talent and passion is finding them. Steve mantra to find them was "you have got to find what you love If you haven't found it yet keep looking and don't settle. As with all matter of hearts, you will know when you find it. And like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the year roll on. So keep looking and don't settle"

Let me conclude with a quote Bhagwad Gita again, "Man is made by his belief, As he believes, so he is"