Remembering to Live: A Kobe Bryant Tribute

I think the Kobe Bryant tragedy this weekend impacted most of us on an existential level. It reminds us of a harsh truth: no matter who you are, what you have, what purpose you believe you serve, or how important, it will inevitably end and you have no control over when.

It is a terrifying reality certainly if you dwell upon it. Secretly, even though we all know it to be a fact, we live in denial that it can happen this way; so sudden, with no chance to watch your children grow up, no time to say goodbye to your friends and family. But the fact remains, it can and it does, in this instance to nine healthy happy individuals seemingly living their lives to the fullest.

If this can teach us anything it is that we cannot become paralyzed by the fear of death. A good life is life that is well lived, spent doing the things you love with the people you love and Kobe certainly seemed to be doing this. As sad as we are for what could have been, he had to have been elated with what was: a career worthy of the Basketball Hall of Fame, a beautiful family, the ability to give back to the community with the Mamba League and a legacy that will radiate well beyond all of our lifetimes.

Most of us do not have his resources, however, everyone of us has the ability to get up everyday and do something we love, to be good people, to raise good children, and to give back instead of constantly taking. The fear should not be in dying, you cannot control or change that. The fear should be that you will go through your life merely surviving death for a while and not truly living. Let the death of Kobe, his daughter and his friends be a reminder to us all to live as fully as we can while we can.