I turn 50 today. This is a message to my kids but I offer it to you in case any of it rings useful.
I was born in Sri Lanka in 1976 in a country that, at the time, was about to enter a decades long civil war. My father was able to get stationed at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Canada for four years in the early 80s - when some of the fighting was most severe - and which from our vantage point in Canada gave us some respite from an otherwise omnipresent conflict.
He came as a diplomat but then my father filed for refugee status after four years when his life was threatened by militants. We stayed in Canada as refugees. My dad never really landed on his feet and we grew up on welfare.
My mom stepped up. She did an incredible thing and put our family on her back and kept marching forward. Sometimes the steps were very small but she always tried to keep moving forward.
I worked at Burger King starting at 14, giving my paycheck to my mom and dad to support our family in the role that I was assigned - earn enough to pay for our bus passes because we couldn’t afford a car.
I was a loser growing up. Some friends, some good memories but mostly forgettable and lonely. I wasn’t very studious but did get my act together in my final year and got into a great university.
I immigrated to the US soon after graduating and found an opportunity. Things clicked and I have been traveling a path to find myself ever since. Only in America is this possible…
I worked hard, followed the rules, paid my taxes and stayed in California out of loyalty for the opportunities it has given me despite its dysfunction.
I found my wife here. Had my kids here. Found my tribe here.
There have been some very hard times as well - deaths, divorce, financial pain, mistakes of omission and mistakes of commission. You can’t dwell on these things - they are weights that will pull you down if you’re not careful. Learn from them. Respect them. BUT MOVE ON.
To think 50 years ago I could have ever gotten a chance to meet the people I’ve met and have had the experiences I’ve had would have been mind boggling to my parents. It’s mind boggling to me now.
We forget often and try to convince others it’s not true but America truly is the best country in the world. Everything and anything is possible here. I can testify. Be grateful to be here.
This is the only place that gives EVERYONE a chance to live a great adventure. The first 50 years have been that for me - an incredible adventure.
Notice there is nothing here about accomplishments or money. Because it doesn’t matter and it won’t matter.
You will be dust in less than 100 years from now and the decision to be remembered won’t be yours so stop sweating it. It’s not in your control.
So what is in your control?
Be kind. Have fun. Work on something meaningful to you. Find your tribe. Try to find perspective. Find an incredible partner. Have a bunch of kids. Live an adventure. Forgive your parents - they were doing the best they could even if that wasn’t what you deserved.
I will do what I can to make my next 50 years a wild ride.
You should too.
I love you and thank you. ❤️
🙏🏽🙏🏽
If your theological convictions are not actively making you more gracious, humble, and repentant than your beliefs are not being shaped by Jesus they’re motivated by a desire to be argumentatively “right.”
I’m an atheist, but I bought this shirt with Charlie Kirk’s image and biblical scripture because I’m sick of living in a culture that demonizes Christians and conservatives.
This might not resonate on X, where people are open about their politics and faith. But I grew up liberal in California, where conservatives self-censor because voicing their opinions comes with social consequences.
I left the left in early 2021. But on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, where my old friends and followers are, if I say anything outside liberal orthodoxy people shut me down on the assumption I’m conservative. I have to tell them I’m unaffiliated before they will even consider what I have to say.
I want this to change. I want a widespread cultural change.
I want to live in a world where it isn’t considered controversial to hold right-leaning views. I want conservatives to be able to speak openly without stigma and without being smeared as bigots or Nazis.
Even though I do not share all of the same beliefs or faith, I am inspired by Charlie Kirk's willingness to debate across the aisle and his unapologetic pride in both his faith and his politics. That kind of courage is something we should all aspire to.
Lake: How does a 22-year-old become so filled with hate? Five years earlier I was told he was a Trump supporter and we send our kids off to college and they brainwashed them. I am making a plea to mothers. Do not send your children into these indoctrination camps. Do not do it
Wait until the haters of Charlie Kirk find out their anger is based entirely on quotes taken out of context and flat-out lies about what he said.
Cognitive dissonance will glue most of the haters to their original positions, with word-salad explanations of how they have been proven wrong yet they are really right.
But some will experience unbearable sadness and deep shame over their actions this week.
That's coming.
Charlie Kirk’s assassin:
-Had a trans boyfriend
-Called Charlie a “fascist”
-Confirmed leftist by friends and family
-Confirmed leftist by top officials on the record, including the governor
-Killed one of the most iconic conservatives in the country
And yet leftists will still claim he’s right wing. These people have no shame, no integrity, no honor. Vile and repugnant to their core.
Don't listen to the mainstream media when they say thousands of 'far-right thugs' were protesting in London.
The truth: Up to to 3 MILLION decent, hardworking, fed up British citizens were out on the streets to UNITE THE KINGDOM.
History has been made today. 🇬🇧
🚨BREAKING: Official police reports indicate that in excess of 3 MILLION patriots are on the streets of London.
'Who's streets our streets'
Britain is wide awake 🇬�
“So you do not HATE the LGBT community and Turning Point is not against LGBT?”
CHARLIE KIRK: “How could I hate that which I have a heart for?”
He never hated them!!! 🙏🏼👇🏼
You don’t even have to be a religious person to watch this video of people praying to know this is the way forward
Watch and listen to this. Is this not the kind of country you want to live in? One of unity and love, instead of 24/7 propaganda, protests and hate
Bill Maher and Ben Shapiro get into a religious debate over where people get their values.
Shapiro then shocks Maher with an unexpected point about Christianity.
SHAPIRO: “Here’s the real question: If the sort of reasonable morality that you espouse is universal, then why is it not even remotely universal on planet Earth? Okay? It is only found in Christian-based societies. You will not find it unless it was grafted on later by us conquering someplace.”
MAHER: “Christian-based? You saying this with the yarmulke on?”
SHAPIRO: “Yes.”
Crazy how many people are putting on a performance this week😂
Nothing original, Ctrl C, Ctrl V, dancing on a grave cause their feelings got hurt.
Still while they believe Kirk got what he deserved
The Kingdom of Heaven welcomes him saying "Well done good and faithful servant!!"
What’s on the horizon for church leaders? Christians should have values that sometimes look conservative, sometimes look liberal. But there’s enormous pressure to only emphasize one side, a political polarization within the church.
Listen to more here: https://t.co/Ce1XAfWead