Part One

. . . I’m not cocky, I’m confident So when you tell me I’m the best it’s a compliment.

--Jadakiss, “New York”

April 9, 2005P
Los Angeles


Dear Young Brotha,

What’s up man? So I got your letter. And as much as I hate to admit this, you are right. I probably would not have written you back. At least not so soon. I often fall into the trap of thinking I’m so crazy busy that I can unknowingly get bogged down with the daily business of life.

But, something in your letter, your vibe, your tone, caused me to stop and pay attention. It troubled me that at such an early age you already expect the worst from people. More than that, you remind me of myself at your age. Just like you, I had gotten used to people letting me down. At times, it even made it hard for me not to give up on myself. Your letter hit home with me, man. It forced me to remember what it was like to be a young man in need of things I couldn’t always put into words. I know what it’s like to be confronted with multiple roads you could choose to walk down; some positive, some negative. So, yeah, I’m doing what you said I wouldn’t do. I’m writing you back, and there’s so much I want to share with you.

First, I want to tell you something. You are the perfect product of 15 billion years of evolution. That means you are the latest and greatest model of the human species. I respect that, and you should too.

You know how cars come out each year and they make an upgraded improved model? You know how they make it look better, go faster, upgrade the engine, upgrade the sound system? Your grandfather’s Cadillac went 0–60 in 8.2 seconds. The Caddys today go 0–60 in five seconds. His car had lap belts, no power steering, and skinny tires. Today’s model comes fully equipped with front and side air bags, integrated traction control steering systems, and twenty-inch rims. You can’t mess with the new model. It’s hot. That’s you, and I want you to hear this: You are the latest and greatest, perfect model of the human species . . . and each year you can improve. You can become the upgrade you are seeking.

The way you are right now, today, is perfect. I can’t say it enough. This is the truth. You are the latest, newest model. Being younger than I, you can do stuff I can’t do. You still have the time to get great grades in school, fall in love for the first time, and see the Eiffel Tower in France, the Serengeti in Africa, or the Aztec ruins in Mexico. You can even learn another language, or change careers, or do a myriad of things. You are still able to bring fresh new dreams into reality. I bet you could kill me at the latest video games too. I don’t know how to play Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. But, I’m not supposed to be able to beat you because I’m an older model. However, one thing that we’ve learned from car designers is that they always study past designs to get a vision for the future.

So let’s stick with this car analogy, okay? Cool. What is your favorite new-model car now? That ’06 model is hot. Yeah, it’s better than the ’04 model, which was better than the ’02 model, but it’s better because they improved on it. The ’06 evolved from the ’04, which evolved from the ’02 and so on and so on and so on. That is why you are an improved version of almost everyone in your life. You’re an improved version of your parents and their generation. You’re an improved version of your grandparents and their generation. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t respect them or that you’re better than they are. And it certainly doesn’t mean that there aren’t many important life lessons that come from listening to and being interested in your parents’ and grandparents’ stories.

However, it does mean you have your whole future ahead of you. You can learn from their mistakes and do better. You will live longer, become better educated, make more money, and be happier than the previous generation. You are here to improve the human race, and you need to embrace that. So, right now as you’re reading this, whisper to yourself, “I am the perfect new model.” “I’m going to do better than my parents.” “I, today, am the best this world has to offer.”

I know little seeds of doubt try to pop up when you imagine your best self. These little voices crop up saying, “No you’re not the perfect new model.” “You’re not that good.” “You’re not gonna be happy.” “You’re not gonna be successful.” “Who do you think you are?” “Life is tough and you suck.” Tell those voices to get up off you. I say that because I, too, fight those voices in my head that tell me I can’t be something or do something. They never fully go away, but doing this work can take those voices from a loud yell to a soft whisper. The most important thing to remember about those voices is that they are wrong. You are the newest perfect model. You are perfect, and you have all the potential in the world.

That voice of doubt is in your head because a previous model (a previous generation) taught you those limiting beliefs. You are not born with that voice of doubt. I am here to tell you that I am living proof that those voices of doubt aren’t real; they are not even yours; and they don’t belong to you. Someone taught you to believe in those doubts. Success, happiness, joy—these are your birthrights. You know what I’m sayin’? Let go of other people’s voices in your head; your parents’, your relatives’, your friends’, your enemies’, anybody who ever said your dreams were not possible. Let it all go. I know it’s easier said than done, but if you stick with me, I promise someday you will be unreasonably happy.

All right, I gotta go shoot a scene for my show, CSI: NY. It’s a scene in Central Park where I go scuba diving to recover a body. Cool, huh? If I can, I’ll grab a picture of me in the scuba suit and send it to you. If you write me back, I’ll elaborate on doubt and the power of belief in another letter.

So hit me back and we’ll rap some more. We got a lot more to talk about. Okay? Oh, and feel free to shoot me an e-mail if you ever have a question. My e-mail address is: Hill@manifestyourdestiny.net. Hope to hear from you soon. Grace, Peace, and Blessings Young Brotha. Your Friend, Hill

P.S. As I was finishing this letter to you, my friend Stephanie gave me this greeting card that on the front says, “You are the best invention since last year.” It was written by a six-year-old boy. How’s that for serendipity? It’s the universe’s way of showing us that this is the truth.

----------Original Message----------

From: Young_Brotha@home.net
Date: April 17, 2005 5:48 PM
To: Hill@manifestyourdestiny.net


Subject: Qualities

Hill,

What are the qualities of a good man?

Date: April 18, 2005 12:42 AM
From: Hill@manifestyourdestiny.net
To: Young_Brotha@home.net


Subject: Re: Qualities

A good man is honest, lives his life with integrity, and behaves responsibly. A good man loves God and his fellow humans on this Earth. Sometimes words like “macho” or “cool” are used to describe a “man,” but truly being “macho” or “cool” means going anywhere with courage, integrity, and perseverance. All of those define a good man. A good man is not defined by what he has—be that money, cars, or girls. A good man is ultimately defined by what he does. But I don’t want you to have just my perspective so I forwarded your question to two men who I don’t just consider “good men” but “great men.” I asked my man Nas, a talented rapper, and Curtis Martin, one of the classiest guys in the NFL, to answer your question for you as well.

HH

----------Begin Forwarded Message----------

Dear Young Brotha:

Being a man is the greatest achievement—age doesn’t do it. Knowledge and wisdom do. The young are very impressionable and sometimes need to belong to groups like gangs. But even that can become tiresome and you’ll have to stand on ya own two one day, making ya own decisions. A man plays a major role in society and the world. And you can become that man, Young Brotha.

Nas

----------Begin Forwarded Message----------

Dear Young Brotha:

Be Balanced: secure enough to be vulnerable, strong enough to be gentle, wise enough to be humble, and powerful enough to serve others. Don’t let the words of others stop you. Only fear God. Have a quiet confidence, faith, and belief that you can conquer whatever life may bring. Put God first, family second, and yourself third. Respect others, but remain true to yourself. And at the end of the day, know how to have fun and enjoy life!

Sincerely,

Curtis Martin