Much is said about him – the creative genius, the man who raised the bar of technology’s look and performance, the father of consumer electronics, modern-day’s greatest inventor. When Steve Jobs died on October 5, 2011, the world felt a great loss. Someone who made things different and great, is now gone.

A Lasting Legacy

Way beyond iPod, iPhone, Macbook, and iPad, Steve Jobs‘ greatest contribution to humanity was to bring digital technology to every home.  Back when the world thought that computers should only be limited to enterprises and businesses, Steve Jobs thought differently.

As a child given up for adoption, perhaps Steve Jobs already settled himself with the fact that he was different from others. He always made sure he didn’t fit the box, but grows outside of it. He dropped out of college to follow his dream of building “products that will change the world.” At age 21, along with his friend Steve Wozniak, he founded Apple Computer which sold the first personal computer.

Decades of hardwork and million dollars later, “Think Different” is the tagline of his company, Apple Inc., today’s biggest technology product manufacturer by revenue and profit.

Looking at my MacBook Pro, I am given a picture of how Steve Jobs went against the flow. Just by the aesthetics, the MacBook Pro is a total standout from the usual computers of our time. While we used heavy and bulky black units full of buttons and details, Steve Jobs went for the simple and sleek white colored computers with minimal details.

1. Simple and Superb Strategies - One of the success formula that put his name in history. He built easy-to-use machines with minimalist look while employing powerful technology.
2. Driven and Disciplined – He focused on achieving his end-goal and poured his 101%, all the time. It is said that as a hands-on CEO, Steve Jobs reviews and approves all product models himself, even up to the smallest detail.
3. Relentless Visionary – He had a vision of creating things that will change the world. Even when he was fired out of his company in 1985, he did not quit on his vision.
4. Futurist – Steve Jobs never dwelled on his past accomplishments and encouraged his employees to do the same. Treating previous successes as a trap, he cultivated a culture of creating the next great product or technology.
5. He valued his time. In a commencement speech in Stanford University in 2005, Steve Jobs gave one of his most memorable advice. He said, “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.”

The man who thought and made things different lived a good 56 years. Though the world felt a great loss, we also know that we still have the greatest gain – the legacy of technological excellence, creativity, and vision pursuit that this amazing genius has left behind. Great job, Steve Jobs!

P.S. This entry was done using his creation, the MacBook Pro. Each Mac User, I believe is inspired by Steve Jobs to do something different and leave a legacy to the world.

“People freak out when they see me the first time.”

What Nick Vujicic previously thought was a curse is now a potent blessing to people from all over the world. He was born without arms and legs, grew up being teased and bullied for his disability, and wallowed in despair on the things he cannot do.

With the help of his supportive parents, Nick came to accept his limitations and decided to dream big rather than sulk within the boundaries of his physique. At grade 7, he was elected captain of his school. He then went on to finish a double bachelor degree on accounting and financial planning before finally deciding to do what he love most, to share his story and inspire people from all walks of life.

Now at only age 28, Nick Vujicic moved from his home country Australia to the United States as head of an international non-profit organization and also owner of his motivational speaking company Attitude is Altitude which is based in California.

“You can look at the things that you don’t have, but you forget at the things you do have. It’s a lie to think that you are not good enough. The key to a good life is to be thankful for who you are, to dream big, and to never give up,” Nick often shares on his inspirational talks.

Nick‘s story remind me a lot of the same struggles I had growing up. Born to poor but hardworking parents with 12 children, I spent my after-school afternoons selling mangoes, fish and rice cakes. In college, I was the only poor girl in a class of middle income and wealthy students. I survived on hand-me down clothes, worn-out shoes, and financial aid from sponsors while working as a part-time cleaner.

Despite all these, I remained thankful for the scholarship and made good use of it. My dream was to travel the world, have a loving and happy family, own a beautiful house, and never be in lack again. 30 years after, thanks to persistence and angels along my way, my life is way better than I ever imagined.

The choices we make, our perspective on things, our attitude towards the events and circumstances on our life determine whether we will live one that is good, great, or worst.

We can choose to either be thankful or gripe about our looks, appreciate or resent our current situation, make use or complain about our abilities or be inspired or get envious of what others have successfully accomplished. At the end of the day, the choices we make determines our level of success, our happiness, the life that we live.

Attitude does determine our altitude in life.

What do you choose today?