Cricketer Virat Kohli, who celebrates his 31st birthday today, wrote a letter to his 15 year old self giving him life lessons as an older, wiser self.
https://twitter.com/imVkohli/status/1191561989207683073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The letter is reproduced below:
Hi Chiku!
First of all, a very happy birthday! I am sure you have a lot of questions for me about your future. I am sorry but I am not going to answer too many of them. Because not knowing what’ in store makes every surprise sweet, every challenge thrilling and every disappointment an opportunity to learn. You don’t realise it today but it is more about the journey than the destination. And the journey is SUPER.
What I will tell you is that life has big things in store for you Virat. But you need to be ready for each and every opportunity that comes your way. Grab it when it comes. And never take what you have for granted. You will fail. Everyone does. Just promise yourself that you will never forget to rise. And if at first you don’t, try again.
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You will be loved by many and will be disliked too. By some who won’t even know you. Don’t care about them. Keep believing in yourself!
I know you’re thinking about those shoes dad did not gift you today. They mean nothing when compared to the hug he gave you this morning or the joke he cracked about your height. Cherish this. I know he can seem strict at times. But that’s because he wants the best for you. You feel that our parents don’t understand us sometimes but remember this – only our family loves us unconditionally. Love them back, respect them and spend all the time you can, with them.
Tell dad you love him. A lot. Tell him today. Tell him tomorrow. Tell him more often.
Finally, just follow your heart, chase your dreams, be kind and show the word how dreaming big makes all the difference. Be you.
And… savour those parathas buddy! They’ll become quite a luxury in years to come.
Make every day super!
Virat.