Stop Taking Life For Granted
“The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great at whatever they want to do.”
— KOBE BRYANT
This week has been one of reflection and positivity, but it comes at a cost that none of us saw coming. Kobe Bryant passed away in a tragic helicopter accident.
For fans, we lost a legend that will never be replaced. For the world, we lost the example in the world on how to take greatness to lift the world around them.
Kobe knew the gifts he had been given, and he made the most of them. He will live on in our memories and has a legacy that will live on.
I have a question: Why do we stop and reflect on the light of others when it goes out? Can we create a world that celebrates the stories and character of people who try to make the world a better place?
In everyday life, we put off many things until tomorrow. Tomorrow, I start my diet. Tomorrow, I'll go to the gym. Tomorrow, I'll ask her on a date. Tomorrow, I'll say how much you matter to me.
The sad thing is we take tomorrow for granted. Tomorrow is not a given. Tomorrow is a gift.
I want to think that Kobe would agree with this. Kobe would want us to look at this moment - the present - and do the most we can with it.
Start your diet now. Go to the gym now. Ask her on a date now. Tell someone how important they are to you right now! (bonus points if you call)
Instead, let’s take this moment - the present - to appreciate what we have. Let’s stop taking things for granted. Let’s stop shying away from the things we feel, the things that make us uncomfortable. Let’s stop using tomorrow as a proprietor for action.
We have today. And that’s always been enough.
This post is a tribute to a legend, a legacy and to the lives of those lost in the tragic helicopter crash. I wrote this to honor the memory of those we lost too soon. I hope this post will inspire others to live life with more compassion, empathy, and zest for what matters most to them.
For those who want learn more about the character of Kobe Bryant listen to him from 2017 on Cal Fussman’s podcast Big Questions. Relistening to this episode made me realize why this is accident has hit me hard. Podcasts allow people to be themselves unfiltered and Kobe resonated deeply in this podcast with me.
