A Mentor Is Your Best Friend by Luke S.
I have had a lot of people in my life who had a major impact on me and taught me things
that I still use today as I grow up. My father, mother, sister, cousins, and the Lord Jesus Christ
have all had an effect on me. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the words of
wisdom I received throughout my life. Some valuable words that I have carried with me
throughout my life are to believe in myself and never give up; to never let someone tell me that I
can't; and to believe that even if I lose everything, as long as I have confidence, I can succeed
and get out of any situation.
Nolan, my next-door neighbor, has been my biggest mentor recently. My entire life has
been spent with no one living in the house next to me. He has lived next to me for the past year
and has made my life much more enjoyable by providing me with someone to talk to and learn
from. Nolan has told me a lot of stories about his life, whether it was about his struggles with
addiction or serving his country in Iraq. But all he's done up to this point has molded him into a
strong and compassionate man. I'd stop by late at night, and we'd talk for hours. We'd even go for
a ride together and just gaze at the stars and talk about life.
Finding God was a significant factor in my life that Nolan demonstrated; he always told
me that if I needed guidance, all I had to do was pray, and now I look forward to going to church
every Sunday and accepting my faith in the Lord. I've felt like a different person after starting to
go to church. For the better, I've altered my conduct. I'm more goal-oriented, and I can devote
myself to almost any mission I set my mind to, and I enjoy
it. Shooting hoops and being able to relax and be at ease for a short period of time was a great
pleasure in my life for a while. When Nolan was moving in, and I had no idea who he was, he
came up to me and introduced himself, being very open and wanting to get to know me. We
started shooting hoops after that while I told him about myself and who I was.
I believe that some people in life who you instantly feel a bond with and know will have
a significant impact on your life and teach you many valuable lessons as soon as you open up to
them. I haven't looked back since that time, and I treasure the memories I've made with him, as
well as how much he has inspired me to work hard for myself and the advice he's given me. I
wouldn't have changed into the guy I am today if it weren't for the words of wisdom he has
offered me during my high school career, and I'm proud to be myself and see the effect I can
have.
