Oprah and the Limo

Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down. – Oprah Winfrey, television host and philanthropist

As we travel the nation and beyond working with young people in large and small group settings, we see a lot of them placing a great deal of importance on their friends.

And there is this tendency, sometimes, as adults, to belittle the role that peers can play in the lives of young people. This is in part because we see many of these friendships as fleeting. And in other cases, we worry about the potential for negative influence among peers.

But the message that Oprah Winfrey shares in this quote about friendship is an important one – and one that both young people and adults should take the time to consider.

Many of us have people in our lives who are happy to be with during the fun times – when we are on top of the world, and the smiles and the laughs come easily.

But what we really need is people who will be with us during the difficult times – the times when we are not necessarily fun to be around. Or when we may need some help to make it through.

If we don’t have those people in our lives, we will find it far more difficult to persevere when tough times inevitably come.

How do we get those people in our lives?

One way is by being that sort of person to others. When our friends are hurting over a challenge or life event – big or small – we need to be there for them in some way.

We need to pick up the phone. Send a text message. Bring a meal. Sit by a bedside. And in all that we do, we need to be willing to listen, empathize and understand. Whatever it takes, we need to help.

Who will ride with you on the bus when the limo breaks down? And who in your life are you willing to do the same for, whatever the circumstances?