Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.  ~Niccolò Machiavelli

You know I saw this video posted, over and over again on Facebook.  I will admit I did watch it a few times, just being so surprised by the content, and more surprised by the commentator.  Yes it was Ashton Kutcher, correction Chris.

It seemed like he was waiting to give this speak, waiting for the perfect time, waiting for the most influential audience, the Teen Choice Awards.  Yes the teens.  It’s like he specifically and methodically chose his audience.  Wise move on his end!

But what really made me watch and listen to his carefully chosen words, was the content, the real guts of his speech.  He purposefully chose phrases to capture everyone’s attention, yet turned those preconceived catchphrases, those arresting words into his own to really drive his point home.

Never disliking, nor never really being a huge fan of Mr. Kutcher’s, (expect I loved Punked) I would have never listened heard about his speech if it were not for friends of mine who were impressed with the actors message.  The message of hard work, using your head and living life to the fullest.  Pretty heavy topics, especially for an acceptance speech.  Kudos to Ashton for taking a stand and caring about the youth of America!

What really makes his communication impactful, is that it came from him.  The movie star him who is normally a silly goofy type of guy that seems to be a screw around and not to be taken seriously.  In all reality I bet he has worked hard and recognizes it.  He seems to appreciate good old fashioned blood, sweat and tears, especially when others do the same.

Going back to his message, and rolling it over again and again in my head, I wonder, what sparked this on?  Then to take it a step further, did he really write that speech?  I’m not saying he’s an idiot, because on the contrary I think he’s anything but.  However, it just seemed a bit heavy for him.

Although,  I do truly believe he was sincere in what he was saying.  I do believe Ashton has a big heart and is a hard worker.  Not that I have anything to go off of, I mean I’ve never met the man, I’ve never even seen him in person and I’ve never really followed any of his interviews.  Yet, I do believe he meant those words wholeheartedly.  I do believe he is humble inside and he has a strong work ethic.  I do sincerely believe he is a good person.  Despite any of his public  issues.  Of course, I believe some things are private and should be handled as such, but I guess the media doesn’t listen to me.

Wonder if making the movie Jobs opened the actors eyes?  Learning about Steve Jobs and acting his role, I’m sure was quite an experience for the actor.  Even though playing roles for the big screen, I still think actors personally change with each movie.  I’m sure they learn new ways of thinking and realities that are quite the opposite of their own, at least the good ones do, and they see life differently.  Who knows maybe it was totally unrelated, something someone said to him.  I’m sure I’ll never really get my answer, unless Ashton Kutcher shows up on my doorstep to chit chat over tea or a beer or something.  Maybe it’s personal to him?  And therefore really none of my business.  But regardless, I’m still curious.

Maybe I’m just taking this to heart because he spoke words that I have always believed in and lived by.  Anyone who really knows me, knows I’m a silly, off the wall, hyperactive artsy type.  It’s true, yet I’m also a very hard working, putting myself through college, twice, and working three jobs at one time in my younger days; and I’m a structured driven entrepreneur.  I come from a family of blue collared, physically demanding hard workers.  Even to this day, I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, literally, I help my dad chop and stack wood every year.  Getting dirty and breaking a sweat in places other than a gym to accomplish a job is no big deal to me.  In fact, I appreciate it.  The opportunity to build character and have a sense of accomplishment.  Something I’m trying to instill in Kyle.

Trying not to look the gift horse in the mouth, I plan on showing Kyle this video.  It may or it may not mean anything to him, but it never hurts to use a good example when it presents itself.  I will say this with all sincerity, Kyle already knows a great brain and mind is what it takes to rule the world.  I never had to tell him, he just always knew.

The Steve Jobs movie looks really good and I can’t wait to see it.  I hope it truly portrays our recently deceased Apple genius.  Reading a few books on the innovator, I am curious what they will bring to light and what will be hidden to those who don’t care, or don’t care to really read about such a unique and troubled man.

Well done Ashton, well done!  Take the time to see the clip for yourself and really hear what he has to say.  You’ll be impressed!

See below and let me know your thoughts.

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. ~Steve Jobs

I think this is the start of something really big. Sometimes that first step is the hardest one, and we’ve just taken it. ~ Steve Jobs

…The crazy ones, we see genius, the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do. ~Steve Jobs

.. 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. ~Steve Jobs

I was checking Kyle’s math homework when they interrupted the news saying that Steve Jobs had passed away.  To be honest, I was not expecting that, even though I knew he had health issues and I suspected he was not doing well.  I was speechless.  Kyle saw the breaking news headline and I know he saw my expression.  He immediately asked, “Who was that?”  My response was, “He was a very smart man – a legend.”  Then the news went into a snippet about Steve, his accomplishments, etc.  So Kyle, unfazed by the shocking news, started talking to me and I immediately shushed him up.  “Let me hear this, buddy.  I really can’t believe it.” And as they talked about his survivors,  his wife and four children, all I could muster was, “That poor family.”

At this point Kyle realized that this news means something to me.  He then asked, “Who was he?” Silly me, it never dawned on me that Kyle didn’t know who Steve Jobs was.  After I watched the tribute I turned to Kyle and said, “Honey, he was the inventor and CEO of Apple.”   Kyle gave me one of those sideways looks, like a dog does that makes them look so confused, but awfully cute.  I said, “Because of him, we have my iPhone, our iMac, my Macbook Pro…the iTouch…the one to help pixar off the ground.  You know, Toy Story, Cars….”  Then it hit him!  He understands those devices, using them pretty regularly. He said, “O I like playing my games on your phone Aunt Heather.”  O Kyle, I guess he is, after all, a ten year old boy.

That started Kyle talking about his “maybe” iTouch gift for Christmas.  He asked how many days there were till Christmas, knowing he is always excited about Christmas (for the wrong reasons).  He said, “I can’t wait to get my iTouch, Aunt Heather.”  I said “You think?”  He gave me this look of, ‘I know it’ and ‘Look how sweet I am, Aunt Heather’.  I said, “Only if you play your cards right.”  He looked so confused saying, “What cards?  What do you mean?”  I laughed and said, “It’s a figure of speak, it means you better be good.”

Then, in our ride back to Kyle’s house, my sister called and immediately I said, “What am I going to do if Apple goes downhill? What if my computer is never the same? I can’t start using a PC, it won’t be the same!”  As I briefly talked to my sister, I realized Kyle was listening because he all of a sudden blurted out, “It’s a good thing I downloaded my game on the PC.”  I started to laugh and said, “Kyle nothing is going to happen to the iMac since Steve died, the computers are all fine, your games are fine.  I am talking about the future of the company.”  Ahh again, a ten year old boy…

While in the car, he asked me, “What made him so great?”  Wow, that was a loaded question.  I said, “Honey, he was a rare person.  He was smart, innovative, persistent, and a true visionary.”  Kyle asked me what a visionary was and the only way I could explain it was probably lame but he got the point.  I said, “Some people have ideas, lots of ideas, but that’s it.  They sit on those ideas, either because they are not motivated, afraid to move forward, they’re lazy, or they just don’t know how to take those ideas and make them into something.  They are the people who sit back and are always saying, ‘I thought of that years ago.’  Then there are those people who do, they are task people.  You tell them what to do and how to do it and they get it done.  They really are not the idea people.  Both types are smart and have their place, but then there is a rare breed of individuals.  They are the ones who have the ideas and the vision and they know how to make it into something.  More than not, their ideas seem unrealistic and crazy at first.  They become true visionaries when they turn that idea into a reality.  They become a genius when they can turn their reality into a lifestyle.  And then you know they are an icon and household name when the evening news is interrupted by their passing.”

Thank you Steve Jobs. Rest in peace!