I once was told that the only two things in life that were certain were death and taxes. While not the most exciting thing to think about, it doesn’t take any stretch of the imagination to see that this is at least half true. Everyone dies at some time. Death is not an “if” but a “when” for each of us. Why then, do so many people spend their time hedging against an inevitable future? Why do they live as if this existence of here and now will last forever?

In reality, death isn’t an enemy, but simply the ending of someone’s story. It is a destination, so to speak, that we all will eventually arrive at. But, while this may be true, the story that we write and the journey that we take to arrive at death are what really matters the most. I once heard a quote, by Tupac Shakur, that was rather inspiring. He said:

“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive. Never surrender.”

As each day of our life comes and goes, it is easy to forget that these moments brings us a bit closer to our determined end. And while we do not possess the power to choose or say when that end will arrive, we do hold within our grasp the control of what fills our lives before death. Are we surrendering to an existence of emptiness, letting our passions, dreams, and ambitions die within us? Or are we refusing to relinquish our control of life and spending every instant making the most of the time we have left? Are we dreaming and growing and really living?

“During your life, never stop dreaming. No one can take away your dreams” – Tupac Shakur

As an entrepreneur, one of the greatest weapons in our arsenal is the power to dream. And, dreaming, then, gives us the ability to live life beyond our own boundaries. Dreaming embraces that thought of future and innovation and sets those who dare to think that big on a course for greatness. For example, a startup business that seems quite insignificant now may in a decade or two become the forerunner for technology and advancement. And even after the entrepreneur with the dream moves out of this life, his achievements and efforts may continue to be fulfilled for years to come. But only if he dared to dream…and only if he never surrendered.

So, while death will most certainly come, the days that are here until that time are just as certainly ours to live. So, never surrender…never stop dreaming…and never let days lived be a greater loss than those taken by death.