Like so many others, I was shocked when I read the news of Steve Jobs’ death.

Of course, I didn’t know him personally, but we often form an inexplicable connection when those in the spotlight come into our lives.

When I really started thinking about why I felt so connected with Mr. Jobs himself, I struggled to pinpoint it until it struck me that I was connected to and inspired by leaving a legacy.

Webster defines legacy as “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.”

Steve Jobs has been called an innovator for his ability to bring cutting edge technology to the masses, and, regardless of whether you are a macophile or macophobe, you cannot deny the legacy he left with the impact on how we communicate, learn, create, and are entertained with the iPhone, iPod, and i-everything in between.

By doggedly following his own calling, he impacted many, prompting me to dig deeper about the legacy that I will leave when my time comes.

Though the answers aren’t typically found in one night (wouldn’t that be nice?), I find it is the asking of the questions that will propel my search for how to best live a life worth a legacy.

Many of you have probably asked yourself what legacy you will leave – but maybe some of you have not yet, avoiding the question for fear you won’t be happy with the answer. I encourage you to face that fear and really examine your life to find what your true loves are, then devote the time and energy to those things that bring you joy.

Even more important than finding inspired ways to invest your energy is connecting deeply and often with those you love, as I believe a true legacy is one where you have left an impact on at least one other soul.

We may not all be destined to become CEOs of large companies, but it is my belief that we are all destined to touch those around us during our short time on this Earth.

I leave you with these words, expressed by Steve Jobs at the 2005 Stanford commencement ceremony and hope from this day forward you will live consciously, creating your legacy each and every day:

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.

Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.

Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.

And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.

Everything else is secondary.

- Steve Jobs

Photo Credit: Apple.com