During former Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant’s wildly successful 20-year NBA career, he was a five-time champion and an 18-time all-star. Many attribute Bryant’s accomplishments to his unbelievable work ethic: He was always the first guy in the gym in the morning, worked out four-plus hours a day, and often cold-called other successful people for advice. It’d be ridiculous to think this drive just disappeared after he hung two of his jerseys in the rafters of the Staples Center.
Now, Bryant has put his past success behind him and is looking forward to the second half of his career with the same intensity. “Fast-forward 20 years from now. If basketball is the best thing I’ve done in my life, then I’ve failed,” Bryant told Complex News. “It’s a very simple mission, very simple quest, very simple goal. These next 20 years need to be better than the previous 20. It’s as simple as that, and that is what drives me.”
In 2014, he became a major investor in BodyArmor SuperDrink. He is also part of a venture capital firm with $100 million in funding focused on different businesses including media, data, gaming, and technology. Bryant is also stretching out creatively through Kobe Studios to bring stories alive through multiple media channels. “What my passion is now is creating the story,” Bryant told the Orange County Register. “Creating the story and finding the best possible way, the medium which that story can live.”
While some may find Bryant’s drive a bit excessive, he actually provides a great example for anyone looking to overcome their past: Many of us define ourselves by our past failures, achievements, and identities, while Bryant is all about evolving.
“Focus on what is ahead, and it takes a lot of bravery to be able to do that, because what if that falls flat, then what?” Bryant said. “It is always easier to go with what is. But that ain’t what we do. We push forward, and that is the biggest challenge ahead.”
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.