If today were the last day of my lifeIf today were the last day of my life

the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005

これは、スティーブ・ジョブズがスタンフォード大学の卒業式で話したとても有名なスピーチだ。１年半ぶりにこのスピーチの動画を見て、改めて感動した。特に、最後の方の「もし、今日が自分の人生最後の日なら、自分が今日やる予定のことを自分はやりたいだろうか？」という一文は秀逸である。この問いに対する答えがノーであれば、何かを変えるために行動を起こさねばならない。

今の僕は、この問いに対し正に「ノー」と答える日々が続いている。そろそろ、行動を起こすべき時なのだろう。

My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

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. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.