Crossing thresholds overpowers pitching products.
Shortly before the Apple Founder passed, Steve Jobs had “one more thing” to enrapture his fan base.
Jobs looked past his family and friends gathered around his deathbed and exclaimed:
“OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.”
His final words were spoken with wonder, not fear.
Mona Simpson described this surreal experience in the eulogy for her brother delivered at his memorial service in 2011.
“Steve’s final words, hours earlier, were monosyllables, repeated three times.
Before embarking, he’d looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life’s partner, Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them.
His final words were:‘OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.’
Jobs was fully conscious at this time. People who study NDEs or near-death experiences would not be shocked at Job’s reaction. NDE experiencers from all religions and cultures mysteriously describe similiar sights and feelings. Interestingly enough, the study group includes avowed atheists.
Bruce Grayson, M.D., points this out in his acclaimed book After.
These include, but are not limited to:
- A Sense of Leaving the Body. (Out of Body Experience)
- Encountering a Brilliant Loving Light.
- Life Review and Deep Connection.
Dr.Grayson is a scientist and former skeptic. An NDE experience with a patient intrigued him so much that he decided to devote his life’s work to this subject and interview thousands of people worldwide who “died” and returned.
It is also fairly common to see deceased loved ones, but some of the study participants freaked him out when they described encountering people who had recently passed, whom they did not know had died. I suggest reading the book if you are interested in the topic but have doubts.
Investors can experience their OH WOW moment without the mortal side effects. Most people aren’t unaware that most of Warren Buffett’s fortune came after he turned 65. The miracle of uninterrupted compounding is the undisputed champion of wealth creation.
Compound interest lacks a dramatic entrance. It’s more of a yawn and a stretch. Nothing may happen for years, but powerful forces were brewing beneath the surface, building towards an explosion.
Unfortunately, many never witness the climax. Reactive investors go to cash during market downturns and chase headlines. Too many investors look for fireworks instead of a slowmoving glacier.
For the ones who learn to shut up and wait, a miracle occurs before their eyes.
One day, they open their statement and see a six or seven-figure account. Disbelief and gratitude overwhelm them.
The good news is that an investor doesnt need to be a genius or have perfect market timing to experience the OH WOW moment.
Compounding isn’t just financial, it’s philosophical.
Time rewards the patient in many of life’s endeavors.
You don’t have to die to witness all of life’s miracles.
Awe belongs to those who wait.
