On his 75th birthday Elton John wrote an open letter to his sons Zachary and Elijah
Elton John celebrated his birthday (March 25) with an open letter to his kids (now 11 and 9 years old) on Time Magazine sharing some of the lessons he learned in life. “When I was your age, I could never have dreamed where life would take me,” John wrote. Here are Elton’s life lessons in a nutshell.
Just Be You- Fully and Completely
“When I was young, I was told to fit in, to do what others expected even when it didn’t feel right,” Elton John wrote to his kids. “Now I realize I can only be me. Being true to myself is what gave me my voice, and helped me face my greatest fears.”
Everyone Deserves A Chance To Grow
“By the time you started school, you knew that we were different. You knew that different was okay, and most importantly, you knew you were loved. Some of your classmates asked the inevitable questions, but you and your teachers answered them honestly. You had a chance to grow—and so did your classmates.”
Count Your Blessings
There are at least 68 countries across the world that still criminalize LGBTQ+ people, according to Human Rights Watch. Your Papa and I could be arrested, just for being ourselves. We must never forget how lucky we are.
Build Bridges, Not Walls
“I’ve played to billions of people in my career and had the joy of meeting many thousands of them. Most people—gay, straight, Black, white, rich, or poor—all want some basic things in life: to be safe, respected, loved, and free. But we live in a world today where too often, instead of embracing diversity, we shut it down.”
“Remember that what unites us is far greater than what divides us.”
Give Back
“Service to something bigger than yourself is the most rewarding thing you will ever do. This world is unequal and unfair, and it’s on us to make it better. That’s why I have given so much to my music and my foundation. And their impact has given me so much joy in return.”