Letter to Abdul

My Dear Friend,

I have more to say than time or paper to do so, but I'll try to cover some of it.

When I was younger, I became very interested in deep grandiose philosophical questions and would spend a lot of time thinking of answers.

One of these questions was "what makes a great friend?"

I came up with a nice and dandy answer, that being someone who you can be vulnerable around and who pushes you to grow. Someone who is there for you, wishing for your wellbeing as much as his own, and who brings you closer to the person you want to be.

Sweet, now I know.

But there's a vital difference between knowing something in your head and actually understanding it. And in that regard, I'd like to thank you.

Through our years together, I've come to truly know what it means to have a great friend.

If you were to turn the happiest and most beautiful moments of my life into a film reel, you'd show up thousands of times.

Our first trip to New York, where we climbed the Williamsburg Bridge and enjoyed Good Mood Food.

Helping your father with Harevestrolley and exploring Chicago together.

All the romantic dates we should've asked girls on but instead experienced together: Ikea, walking in Naperville, exploring Evanston, eating Mama Maria’s at the Prairie Center, watching 500 Days of Summer, drawing the Chicago skyline, scouting for ass at Lake Geneva, to name a few.

And just recently, our first road trip through half of America. The music, biking, talking, I enjoyed every second. That was the most fun I've ever had. Except for meeting Meano. Fucking dick.

But it's not just the picturesque memories I cherish with you. Having you as company turned ordinary, dull, difficult times into beautiful stories as well. When we fucked up your wall with the ping pong table, we struggled for a place to sleep in New York, we worked out in my basement, we ran 13 miles, we ruined our romantic relations, sharing these struggles with you made them adventurous and exciting.

Thank you for amplifying the good times and transforming the hard times into cool stories. You've always helped me feel more alive.

You've also been my biggest rival.

Normally you want to be great and you want your rival to be weak so you beat him. But since my rival is also my best friend, and I only want the world for you, my only option is to always try and run a little faster than you, work a little harder, and if I can't, I MUST AT LEAST keep up.

When I'm tired, I know you're in the gym and I gotta keep up. When I'm uninspired, I know you're still creating and I gotta keep up. When I'm doubting myself, I know you're still moving and I gotta keep up. And I gotta win.

I don't try to beat you because I want you to lose. I try to beat you because that push for growth feels amazing, it feels like I am living the way I was meant to, and YOU SPARK THAT FIRE. I believe I do the same for you when I'm on my shit, and I love that image of 2 kids trying to run faster than each other and, in the end, being faster than everyone else who doesn't have a friend to push them.

Thank you for adding that gas to the flame.

And thank you for the chance to use the words "my best friend" when talking to others. My best friend and I did a podcast last weekend. Next summer, I intend to ride motorbikes in Istanbul with my best friend. I gotta lock the fuck in so I can afford New York rent with my best friend after college. Shit like that.

You’ve given me a lot. You've given me thicker skin by flaming the shit out of me. You've given me space to talk about what I love. You've accepted all the different parts of myself. You've pushed me to think less and do more. You've shown me so much cool shit. You've expanded my lust for life and adventure. You've shifted my view of difficulty into a beautiful challenge. You've helped me see the strengths and power I have within me. You've given me the ability to believe in my dreams. And in myself.

I now actually believe that I can make my dreams a reality. Which kind of fucking sucks, because now I always feel like I HAVE TO TRY. Thanks for that headache.

I know I'd rather live with chasing a dream than without, and you're a big reason why I'm saying that.

So, I'm making a written promise right here right now that I'm going to work toward building my dreams until the day I die, never to let bullshit or fear or busywork or impostor syndrome or other people extinguish that fire.

I'm getting fucking shredded. Completely mogging you. I'm becoming a baller. When we go to the restaurant I'm paying for ALL THE HOMIES. I'm going to make beautiful shit and give it to the world.

Creative Soldier and Ali Amant the next Yeezus and Hova, once we make it to New York? It's OVER! I'm going to find my way to New York City. We're getting that apartment. It's gonna be the nicest fucking apartment in the world. Chicks are gonna love it. We're getting beautiful girls and going on double dates. We're going to live out the dream or die trying.

But you gotta hold up your end of the bargain. Beat the shit out of New York bro, own it.

Make the coolest shit you've ever made. Don't skip days. Make smart decisions between adventure and focused building. Connect the dots looking backward. Trust in the ways of Allah. Don't lose faith. Don't let fear or confusion stop you. It's great if you don't have everything figured out. You're finding your way. Never lose that childish spirit, that hunger for experience. Don't let anything fuck up your vision.

You're gonna make it. And when you make it, keep that same perspective.

I believe in you, Abdul. You'll make it. Even if you don't know what that means yet.

You have the desire. You have what it takes inside of you.

Now it's just a matter of digging that up, sculpting it day by day through consistent effort. As long as you're trying, you're on the right path.

And while you're building this beautiful life and vision in reality, remember to look around and appreciate the beauty around you.

It's always right now. Doesn't matter what happened before, and the future isn't promised.

Everything is right now.

Appreciate your moment.

Listen to your heart.

Keep going.

Don't stop.

I'll join you in NY soon.