A Moroccan Kid, a Card Game, and a Turning Point
In the mid-2000s, I was just a kid in Morocco trying to make sense of a stack of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. My cousin and I loved the game, but we had no idea how most of the cards actually worked. One day, I decided I wanted to understand them—not just guess or make up rules. That decision led me to learn English.
The card that sparked everything? Change of Heart. Ironically, that’s exactly what the journey became: a change of heart, of direction, of life.
The Boredom Diaries: How School Ignited Creativity
School didn’t always hold my attention, especially in classes that didn’t speak to my interests. So, I did what a lot of bored students do: I drifted—but I drifted into creativity. I started keeping a diary, writing rap lyrics, and composing songs in English.
Looking back, that boredom was a gift. It gave me space to develop my voice, sharpen my writing, and build a foundation that would serve me in ways I couldn’t imagine.
Leveling Up: From Cards to Code
Around the same time I fell in love with English, I also discovered computers. I started learning IT on my own, experimenting, breaking things, fixing them. Years later, I found myself making money through Google AdSense. Then came the crash—I lost $20,000 in a very short period of time.
For a Moroccan, that amount isn’t just money—it’s life-changing. But surprisingly, I recovered emotionally in just 24 hours. That loss taught me something deeper than any win: resilience, detachment, and the power of staying grounded.
I didn’t blow my money on distractions. I didn’t lose myself. I helped my family, stayed clean, and stuck to what mattered. That’s something success can’t teach you—only failure can.
Real Talk: People Thought I Changed—But I Just Grew
One of my closest friends once told me, “Money changed you.” But the truth is, I didn’t change—I just outgrew certain dynamics. He believed that because we were business partners, we should split profits 50/50, even when his contribution didn’t match. That didn’t sit right with me, and I said so.
What I’ve learned is this: when you grow, not everyone grows with you. And when you stay principled, some people mistake that for arrogance. But real character is quiet. It doesn’t chase approval.
Recently, people even thought I was using ChatGPT when I typed messages—until they saw me do it live. That’s when they realized: this isn’t a gimmick. It’s years of effort.
Legacy Play: Teaching My Family What I Loved
As a kid, one of my proudest achievements isn’t digital at all—it’s personal. I introduced most of my family to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos trilogy back in 2006–2007. Even my dad got hooked, and years later, when I built him a gaming PC from old parts and new upgrades, he was still enjoying the hell out of it.
It was more than nostalgia. It was connection. A shared language of strategy, fun, and family. That’s what real legacy feels like.
English Didn’t Just Teach Me a Language—It Opened the World
Learning English wasn’t about grammar or fluency. It was about unlocking the world: technology, culture, communication, independence. It started with a single card and turned into a whole life path.
So if you’re reading this and you feel stuck—by geography, circumstance, or doubt—remember this: you don’t need permission to grow. Just curiosity, patience, and a willingness to begin.
Because sometimes, all it takes is a card called Change of Heart.
Note: This article is based on a conversation I’ve had with ChatGPT, so the latter served as a ghostwriter of sorts. In other words, real experiences should never be confused with recycled AI slop.