From Kabul to Cal Poly

 “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take and the decisions we waited to make.” Anonymous.

I don’t know if I believe in the alignment of stars, but on 09/20/21 when you begin your college career and the next chapter of your life also happens to be my 50th birthday.  I am Oh so proud of you, all your hard work, and the confident young man you’ve evolved into.  God, indeed, is Great because I survived the brutal and deadly war in Afghanistan, September 11, 2001, Brain Cancer, chemo and radiation, and the once in a 100-year global pandemic only to witness this blessed day of your flight to soar above the SLO skies. As a refugee and immigrant, this is our dream to give our children opportunities that we could never dream of in our homeland.

Now it is time to write your own story.  The only advice that I have for you is to remember that any decision or choice that you make has huge consequences.  Life is not a video game with multiple do-overs. Please do not make decisions based on emotion or too quickly. I know this may sound lame/corny/boomer, but if you just have to slow down and think about the pros and cons even for 5 minutes will make a huge difference.  I, myself, have made some very, very bad decisions which I am and will forever pay for the rest of my life.  I made quick decisions based on emotion and did not think about the consequences.  Please do NOT be like me.

Ultimately, I want you to be wildly successful in both your career and your personal life.  Life is not only about the material but is about relationships, empathy, compassion, and service to humanity. You can have all the Teslas, 25000 sq ft homes, but if you are not a good and compassionate human being, you will one day live a life of regret.

In conclusion, I want to tell you that I love you and always will.  Your mother loves and adores you and you will always be her baby.  I may not be alive till my 51st birthday and I want to let you should ALWAYS respect your mother.  Don’t make her sad or break her heart.  You only have one mother on this earth and never disrespect her.  Life of regret is a bitch.  I know it because I live it.

Now, go ahead, crush it, and kick ass!!!!