As many of you out there can relate, it was absolutely gut-wrenching to hear about the tragic news of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna (Gigi) and the other individuals who lives were lost in the helicopter crash yesterday. I’m just one of the millions of people around the world who is trying to make sense of why stuff like this happens to the best of us. It just goes to show that life isn’t promised tomorrow. Dream big. Forgive. Love harder. Go after what you want. Can it be any more crystal clear that procrastination is the thief of time and we have so little of it on this Earth?
Shortly after the news broke, I shared some of my own perspective in the video below. I had the opportunity to meet Kobe Bryant early on his career. I spoke about it briefly. My hope is that the message in the video resonates with as many of you as possible. Life is beautiful, but seems equally brutal at times. To the family and friends of Kobe, Gianna and the remaining helicopter crash victims — John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah Chester, Payton Chester, Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan; may you all find an abundance of love, solace, strength and timely closure.
There’s going to be a certain level of pain and unsteadiness that’s going to sit in the pits of stomachs for a while. The visual images of Kobe and Gianna attending the Brooklyn Nets game at the Barclay’s Center is stuck on a reel in my mind. I’m thinking of his wife, Vanessa and his three remaining kids. Being a loving father myself of a 17-year-old young lady, it makes me think of my own mortality.
It’s evident that we are not guaranteed to see the next day. While we here, let us make sure that we’re doing two things: learning and teaching. Learn a skill or a trade. Learn to love. Learn how to forgive. Learn humbleness and compassion. Learn how to inspire. When you’re ready, teach other individuals how to do so. Kobe has done that in such a short lifetime, and on some level, Gianna has completed her task as well.
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The Perennial Aesthete 
Ralph this was very well written, felt like i was reading a newspaper/internet article. The memories of Kobe Bryant will live forever.
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