Working On Me 24/8
Pardon my brash, but what would people say about you if you died today? Because that is a real deal possibility. The sudden and tragic passing of Kobe and Gianna Bryant (and the other passengers of the helicopter accident) has gotten me doing some self-contemplation, mainly because it’s a reminder that no matter how much fame and fortune you obtain, death is still inevitable.
This post isn’t about death, though; it is actually about life. Kobe lived his life in such a way that his passing literally stopped the world. Even mine. I was never a Kobe fan, but I respected his life and legacy enough for this to break my heart. It didn’t help that the situation in its entirety was just tragic. Everyone told their loved ones how much they mean to them, 50 Cent vowed to stop bullying people in Instagram, it was beautiful. Just like when Nipsey Hussle died, when the Bloods and Crips came together for whatever it was they stood for in that moment. Wheeling my mom out of the hospital following her 26-day stay, everyone from what seems like all corners of the facility came to say goodbye. They all told me what a great woman she is and that they wish she would come back and visit. She made an impact on those peoples’ lives, and vice versa.
But even just hearing some of the gems Kobe had dropped in interviews about how he views life, love, work, and people was inspiring. He touched many, yet some kind of way people still have something negative to say about his situation.
Whenever a famous person passes away, there is always some hater coming out on some ol’ “Y’all upset like you knew him” BS or “I wish y’all would give this much attention to people you DO know”. Ok first of all, totally tactless for you to “what’s the big deal” the devastating and sudden death of literally anyone. Don’t be a dick. Second, just because he didn’t change YOUR world doesn’t mean he didn’t touch or inspire the masses in some way, shape, or form. Last, you can mourn the loss of someone you don’t know personally just like you don’t have to mourn someone just because you knew him or her. Cut the SHH. If you have to wonder whether or not anyone would bat an eye upon finding out you’ve passed away, that’s your own fault, Sis. I can confidently say that there are tons of people who would be affected if that happened to me. They all happen to likely know me personally, but still. I do the best I can to be a light to everyone I come across (unless you want the smoke, because I can distribute that pretty evenly too).
Anyway, the meat of this post was actually about knowing what you bring to the table, enough so that you can confidently be yourself and be assured that when you are not around, you have still made a difference in someone’s life.
Like, why is it so hard to sell yourself? I was recently at an interview and the lovely “Tell us a little about yourself” question came up. I had ample to say about myself, but I also had to actually prepare for that question I even asked Ney, “What do I even say to this question? What is it that I even offer?” to which she gave me all the amazing adjectives that I neglected to acknowledge about myself.
I guess another good question to ask is do you think people would endorse you for work? That happens frequently for me; someone asks me to hook them up with a job, or a wife, or anything at all that requires my recommendation and I have to think of less hurtful ways to say “Oh honey, no…”
Would YOU endorse you if you weren’t you? If only we could all just adopt this Mamba mentality regarding work ethic, regarding perseverance in life and in love, to attack each day and each opportunity with all you’ve got, to exceed all boundaries and expectations.
One man did, and he changed his entire world around him. And after it was all said and done, he changed mine.
Mamba, out.