8 Lessons We Can Learn From Kobe
I fell in love with the game of basketball because of Kobe. My first early memory was Kobe in the finals verse Allen Iverson in 2000. Two guys I pretended to be in my basement, shooting on my fisher price basketball hoop. I have always said “Kobe” every time I threw something into the trash can or heaved half court shots in our church gym. He’s an icon and will always be remembered because of his on the court greatness, his intelligence and basketball IQ, and his work ethic.
I couldn’t believe the news as I read story after story on my trip home from Chicago to Louisville. I’ve been trying to process how I feel about this tragedy all week. It’s crazy how you can mourn someone you've never met. I think it’s a testimony to someone on the impact they’ve made when people who don’t know you are shook by your death. Tragedies like these are quick reminders to cherish the people you love, get over the things that don’t really matter, and embrace each day with passion, purpose, and positivity regardless of the obstacles. Death is a reminder that life is short and we should celebrate, believe, and think the best of each other.
As the details have been released, I find myself hurting for the people that lost their loved ones. My heart breaks for those who have to go through this week without those closest to them to lean on. My heart breaks for the new normals they will have to get used to. My heart breaks for Vanessa and her 3 daughters as they try to figure out life without Kobe and Gianna. For the Altobelli family who lost John, Keri, and Alyssa. For the Mauser family who lost Christina. For the Chester family who lost Sarah and Payton. For the Zobayan family who lost Ara, who was very much loved in the aviation community.
All these people experiencing the worst moment of their lives…
All the questions…
All the what ifs...
I’ve read a lot of articles and facebook posts. I've watched a lot of video stories and tributes. Now, I wanted to join the conversation and write 8 valuable lessons we can learn from Kobe and this tragedy...
Grief is a real thing and we all deal with it differently. It’s something that never really ends, only changes with time. It’s the real pain from the byproduct of love. We must allow people to grieve differently without judging their faith or process.
If you use tragedy for evangelism, you may not really know the person who’s revealed as perfect love. For fear is never used to manipulate people into the arms of a loving God. People say stupid stuff to those who grieve. Don’t be one of those people. One of the best things you could possibly say is nothing at all. Your presence and love speaks loud enough.
Remember the shortest bible verse is, “Jesus wept.” The raw emotion of crying is important to your grief. It’s necessary. It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human.
Kobe reminds us that we are more united than we are divided. Don’t be blinded by the divided states of America's political movement. Life matters. You matter. And we should celebrate each other while we have the chance.
Fatherhood is the best hood. If you haven’t seen Elle Duncan’s segment #girldad, watch here … just make sure you have a tissue nearby. We have such a great responsibility to our kids. Let’s not take that for granted.
Mamba mentality! Kobe once said, “Everything negative - pressure, challenges - is all an opportunity for me to rise.” He had this killer instinct to rise to the occasion. People hated on what they thought was arrogance but don’t be misled. There’s a major difference between confidence and arrogance and people who don’t know you will confuse the two.
Your work ethic is important and contagious. Kobe once said, “I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.” You have greatness inside you. Pull it out by working harder than anyone else around you. You set the bar in your work environment because you are the only one responsible for your prosperity and success.
Legacy matters but you will only live as long as your story is worthy of being told. Are you living in a way that impacts the next generation? Kobe once said, “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” That is true Kingdom mentality. In fact, his character is revealed in the written piece by ESPN senior writer Ramona Shelburne when she writes, “I wanted to go last. To let everyone else write their stories on Kobe Bryant as he approached retirement and then top them all. It was an audacious gamble. But that was my pitch to him in the winter of 2016. I thought the audacity would appeal to him. He’d admire the confidence, the swagger, maybe even chuckle at the arrogance. Nope. He said he’d do a story with me about his life, but not out of vanity — mine or his. ‘I’m not interested in self-serving pieces,’ he said bluntly. ‘It has to be something where an athlete reads it and is inspired by something, learns something and pushes themselves.’”