One definition of an icon is "a person or thing that is the best example of a certain profession or some doing."  Steve Jobs fits this definition exactly.  His creativity, innovation, drive and work ethics have made such an impact on our world today.  The communications and information systems we use have been forever changed because of the ideals of this man.  Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer has taken its toll on the greatest innovator of our time, and the world will forever miss him.

I would have really liked to have met this man.  He lived every day of his life like it was his last.  Each day he looked in the mirror and asked himself, if he was going to die today, would what he had planned to do that day be how he wanted to spend the last day of his life.  He believed that if you looked at life in this manner, then things that really mattered would get the attention that they deserved. 

He wasn't afraid to take any chances either.  If he believed in something, he put his heart and soul into it.  As a matter of fact his first huge invention started out in his parents garage using the only money he had.  Money he got from selling his car.  Because he took the chance and put everything into what he loved doing, that first invention has turned into a worldwide success with the company Apple.  He did what he loved to do and believed that everything would work itself out. 

He faced failures in his life many times.  Each time that he was faced with a failure, he took some time to regroup and then turned it into a new opportunity.  An example of this is when he was fired from Apple, a company that he created.  After a few months of shock and some time to regroup, he managed to create the most successful animation studio in the world.  Once again, he didn't let someone tell him that he couldn't do something that he loved doing.

We can all learn from this amazing individual.  He faced many challenges throughout his lifetime that shaped the ideals that he portrayed.  He didn't feel sorry for himself and give up, ever.  He didn't let people tell him what he was and wasn't capable of doing.  He knew what he loved to do in life and let nothing get in his way of doing it.  I really wish that I could have had the pleasure of meeting this amazing icon, the man who changed the way we communicate and share information, Steve Jobs.