Hey everybody! I know this post deals with a more disheartening subject, but I think it is important to talk about this. There is a story going around in the news about a girl who talked a boy into committing suicide (see news story here). This happened several years ago, but the trial is still going on. I don’t want to dwell on the tragedy of what happened, but I do what to focus on the importance of surrounding yourself with positive friends.

Friends can be the source of some of the greatest joys. They are especially important when you are making some of the biggest decisions in your life (like deciding where to go to college, how to have fun, who you’re going to become) so basically, they’re important all the time. True friends are the kind of people that you want to hang out with, even if your parents are around. They are going to build you up, respect you, and be kind to you. They aren’t going to try to convince you to do something you know you shouldn’t. They are gonna help you do the right thing, even if it means they don’t always agree with you.

You also have the responsibility to be that friend to your friends. Be kind to them, help them be better, don’t let them do things that will hurt themselves or others. Be virtuous in your thoughts and actions, even when your friends are around. I know you all will be so much happier if you are surrounded by good friends who help you be the best you can be. If you have friends that are going through a hard time, help them find the help they need and respect them enough to tell adults, even if they might be mad at you for it. That is the kind of friend you want to be.

If I asked your friends the type of friend you are, I hope they would say you are the kind I mentioned above. If that’s true, stay that way… if not, then you can change and be better. I KNOW IT!

Much love and virtue!

Share this with your friends so you can be better together!

Nate

A Voice for Virtue