NZ broadcaster Jason Gunn on kindness, meditation and fatherhood

Jason Gunn on kindness, perseverance, and the value of family and dreams.

In the last of a four-part series where well-known New Zealanders write a letter to their younger selves, beloved Kiwi entertainer Jason Gunn on why kindness is his superpower.

Hi Jason, It’s me. Jason. As in . . . YOU . . . from the future. I know you’ve seen Back to the Future several times already so I know you love the idea of time travel. By the way, they do make a second and third Back to the Future but to be honest they’re not that great so don’t be in a rush to go and see them. On that note . . . we must talk about Star Wars. This will break your heart, but in the future they will make many more Star Wars movies and they just get worse and worse. I’m so very sorry.

Let me start by saying this – you do great! There are some incredible days ahead for you – I don’t want to ruin the surprise for you but: you know how you love watching TV and you dream of one day, somehow, being on TV? Well, whatever you do, do NOT give up on that dream!

I really shouldn’t tell you this but, when you’re 18, you’re going to get a job as a children’s television presenter (YES IT’S TRUE!) and you will meet the most amazing people and visit the most amazing places and it will be the best job in the world.

Anyway . . . back to you . . . right now. I know school is something you struggle with a bit – it seems tough some days, eh? I think we can both agree that your (our) exam results aren’t exactly memorable! I just want you to know that those results are not worth worrying about. They will not define you! I look back at them now and smile, so you should do that now! You are so much smarter than you realise.

One really important thing I need you to know. Your kindness and your desire to make other people smile is your superpower. It does more good than you could ever know. In the future, there will be many times when the world will need much kindness and you can make a real difference, Jase.

Jason Gunn (right) dreamed of being on TV since he was young and achieved it by becoming a children's TV presenter at 18.

This is going to sound weird and a little crazy, but I want you to learn how to meditate. You give out so much energy and it can be exhausting right? (I think that might be why you get those sore tummies.) I want you to learn to sit in silence and refill your tanks. Look after you, then you can look after others.

I wasn’t going to tell you this but as I write to you now, my son (YOUR son) is sitting beside me watching television. He is a beautiful boy that you would love to play with! He will make you so incredibly proud . . . it’s impossible to put into words. I could also point out that I (you) also have three daughters but that might be a lot to take in right now. Just know that they are kind, thoughtful and talented, and they are your best friends.

I know that on the outside you appear very confident but on the inside you often doubt yourself. That’s okay. It keeps you grounded. But just know, on every day, in every way, you’ve got this. So don’t stop dreaming big.

One last thing . . . I have a favour to ask. Can you please give Mum and Dad the biggest hug from me? Not one of those quick ones as you run out the door to soccer practice . . . I mean a really big hug. And just say, “Thank you. Thank you for everything.” Trust me, you can never tell them enough how much you love them and when you get older you are going to realise just how good you had it at home. Oh, and your (our) brother Andrew . . . he will always be there for you – through the good times and the bad times . . . so always find time for him and support him.

You’re an incredible boy, Jason Gunn, and you are going to do great things – don’t let others tell you otherwise.

Be kind. You’ve got this.

Oceania Healthcare donated $1000 to the National Foundation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing on behalf of Jason Gunn to say thanks for sharing his story