What Kobe Bryant’s Death Can Teach Us About Life

“To feel affected by the death of someone you don’t know is to realize that our reach, our impact, our energy extends beyond the circle we perceive to be our own.” — Unknown 

On January 26th 2020, the earth stood still as news broke out that Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna were among the nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, CA. Kobe Bryant, who left behind a wife and three other children, was more than an athlete who played for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a husband, a father, and a friend. He was someone that changed people and never stopped inspiring others to be the best they can be. He taught us that failure is never an option. That we have to work for things, because they will not just be handed to us.

Although the sudden death of Kobe and daughter Gigi is a tragedy, if there is something to take away from all this, it is that life is precious. We as humans are extremely fragile, and there are things that can take only a moment yet can impact our lives so drastically. With news like this, it’s important to understand that the only things that matter in life are not things. They are the people you love—the ones who make you the best version of yourself—and their well-beings. The amount of money you have in your bank account, the designer clothes in your closet, the luxury car you are driving—none of that stuff matters in the end.

Kobe Bryant, alongside nine others, were on their way to a basketball tournament the day of the helicopter crash. They all woke up just like any other day, not expecting that they wouldn’t come back home or that it would be the last time they’d get to hug their loved ones. It’s crazy to think that one day everything can change in an instant. Although it’s a reality, it should also be what pushes us to live fiercely and to love with everything. Kobe Bryant spent his life with people and goals that made him feel alive. He was present when it came to life and lived it to his full potential, and that is something we should all live by.

If someone like Kobe Bryant, who seemed so invincible, can be taken away so quickly, then what does that tell us? It’s that life is short and sometimes the people we love are taken away from us too soon. So it’s important to make sure the special people in your life know they are special. That you tell the people you love that you love them.

I read online somewhere that Kobeś death has inspired others to reach out to certain people who they may have been on bad terms with and apologize for whatever they have done to them and overall make peace. How beautiful is it that even after his passing, he is still inspiring and bringing people together?

I think we can all learn something from this—that those little things we get worked up about, those people we are holding grudges against, none of that matters in the end. Just let go and live. But most importantly, do what Kobe did and leave a mark on this world. Live the way you want to be remembered. Love with all you have and bring people together. I’d like to think that Kobe would be proud to see us keeping his legacy alive.

“Have a good time. Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling.” — Kobe Bryant