The Way I See It: an infrequent editorial by Mr. G

Volume 2: Early November Comments Off

I’ve Got Your Back

The title phrase requires little explanation: when someone has your back, they’re willing to help or protect you in any way that they can. It’s a sign of friendship when you’re willing to support somebody else in their time of need. It shows compassion, loyalty, trustworthiness, and respect. After hanging out at LPS as long as I have, I’ve heard this phrase on countless occasions. We must have an amazing school to have so many loyal and trustworthy friends.

Here’s a secret though, just between you and me: many of your ‘friends’ are LYING to you.

That’s right. I just called your friends a bunch of liars. In fact, a lot of them are pretty selfish. They’re only hanging out with you because you’re fun to be around, at least once in a while. When that fun goes away, so do they. If push came to shove and you got into a fight, they’ll stand on the sidelines and film it on their cell phone. They’re all talk and no action – a bunch of ‘fair-weather friends’.

You see, we find out who our true friends in life are during the times when we are challenged. These friends will stand by your side on the days when you are angry or sad and help you sort through the drama in your life. They’re even willing to face it with you. The truest friends are the ones who catch you when you’re doing something wrong before you run into problems. They’ll tell you the things that you don’t want to hear because it’s exactly what you need to hear.

I have three friends like that in my life.

I met the first when I was nine years old. He kicked my butt daily for five years, to the point where I wouldn’t be able to move the next day. When I was fourteen, he handed me my first black belt. I went on to work for his martial arts school and became his most trusted advisor. Eventually we became business partners and although we disagreed often, we always made the right choices together, and it led us both to success.

I met the second during my martial arts training. He was the one kid in my class who could always best me in anything: sports, video games, school…all of the above, plus some. We’ve had a friendly competition going on for years and we’ve reached a mutual understanding: I find something new for us to try, he beats me at it. I was proud to be the best man at his wedding last year, even though he was the true ‘best man’ in the room.

I met the third shortly before my freshman year of high school. She is immensely talented, brilliant, strong, and kind-hearted. There are few people in the world who have her level of skill and determination, and even fewer who lead lives which inspire me to become a better man. I’ve loved her since the day we met seventeen years ago, and I look forward to sharing the rest of my life with her.

My life is blessed because I have these friends to share it with. We’ve seen each other throughout many changes in our lives and I’ve watched them step up to overcome the kinds of challenges that would make most people give up or lower their standards. I take no credit for any of their success. I’m just proud that we’re still together.

These are people who ‘have my back’. They bring out the best in me on my worst days, and we don’t have to see each other every day to know that if we ever needed each other, for anything, we’re there in a heartbeat. They don’t get upset with me if I don’t send them a text message while I’m in class, or distract me from my day’s work in order to keep themselves entertained.

Maybe your friends are as good as mine. In fact, I hope they are. Everyone needs them.

You see, you’re here at a school which can help you to find success and achieve your dreams. Each day, you are surrounded by talented teachers who are among the best in the industry, not just because they’re smart, but because they also have the capacity to be a true friend for you – if you let them. We’re not afraid to tell you when you’re out of line. We’re willing to reach out our hands to help you, even if you’ve slapped it away. Most importantly, we’re going to kick your butts academically for a full four years because someday, we’d like to hand you a diploma and wish you success in college.

Now ask yourself: are your friends helping you get there, or are they holding you down? Are they encouraging you to succeed, or are they silently celebrating your failures? Will they be the friends who help you stay focused in class, or are they the ones who text you because they need someone else to be distracted with? Does your boyfriend or girlfriend really care about your best interests, or is their idea of a relationship limited to kisses in the quad? Is your best friend truly the ‘best’ friend?

What kind of friend are you? What kind of friend would you like to be?

I’m the kind who has your back. Walk with me and I will never let you fall.

Mr.G is a part-time Jedi master who occasionally masquerades as an English teacher.

admin @ November 24, 2007