This post is in honor of Kobe Bryant.
Kobe was a big deal in my adolescent years. I wasn’t into basketball but I knew Kobe. Everyone knew him. He played right out of high school he became a legend. In his field, Kobe was one of the greatest to ever shoot his shot. Quite literally.
The phrase “shoot your shot” is so popular and can be applied to almost any situation (usually- to get the guy or girl) and it basically means to try. You may fail, you may succeed but you won’t know until you try. And you have to try! Not just when you know it’ll be easy. Most especially when its not.
I agree wholeheartedly with this but today, I have to append the message. In honor of Kobe… I want you to “Shoot your shot, Now!”
Don’t wait until things are perfect, to attempt, launch, apply or do what you want/need. Don’t wait for things to be perfect because there is hardly ever a right time and perfect may never come. If you wait… the time in which you “could have…” may pass you by.
Being drafted right out of highschool, Kobe Bryant had a long career, he was dedicated, worked hard and spent a lot of time getting it right (he wasn’t perfect though, he messed-up a many times, like the rest of us). Then he retired. Two years into the time he was supposed to have a well deserved rest, get into new things, spend more time with his family and really enjoy the fruit of his labor but his life tragically ended (Jan. 26, 2020).
Sadly, there is a lesson in it. Imagine all the things he may have put off for after retirement? After all, retirement is the perfect time to do everything you wanted or thought you could do when you were no longer working. Right? And at a young age of 41, you would have so much time to do it. Sigh.
If you have a business idea, a project, a goal you want to achieve, don’t wait until the market is right or your business cards are spot on. Do it now, fail or succeed and try (reiterate) again.
As I’m typing this I have also been updated that it was not just Kobe from the Bryant family that was lost. His daughter Gigi too so this is the most important part:
If you are waiting for perfection to start, be with or appreciate your family, you may be waiting for a long time. Most especially when it comes to spending time with your kids (and parents in the reverse case). It’s easy to think that you’ll have the time to play or give them the attention they ask for later but they won’t stop growing and the moments of their childhood would slip away. I am all for being an example of “strong work ethic” but don’t let that be the only thing they remember you for. Yes you are building them a legacy but if they only remember mommy or daddy in passing (always on the move) then what’s the point?
You have to be ready to close the laptop and have a conversation about their favorite color, eat the spaghetti they made with lego blocks or help with homework (even if you don’t know the answer). You can get back to it when they sleep. Shoot your shot now. Be in the now. Don’t wait til later. You may not have it. But I pray you and your loved ones do. I pray that life will not be cut short. Amen.
My heart goes out to the families and anyone that has/is experiencing loss. I pray God comforts you and your family and one day… you will be able to laugh and smile and love again. Amen.
P.S.
If you are feeling alone, hopeless, discouraged, anxious or overwhelmed (whatever the situation maybe) I encourage you to seek spiritual AND professional counsel. share your feelings and everything you may be going through because those feelings are valid and must be processed so that you can heal.
REST IN PEACE:
Kobe & Giana (Bryant)
John, Keri & Alyssa (Altobelli)
Sarah & Payton (Chester)
Ara (Zobayan)
Christina (Mauser)
Sincerely and with all the love,
