Chapter One – The Sam

Posted by winjaw on Jun 1, 2010 in Excerpts/Media | 2 comments

Everyone needs advice; everyone needs what I call a “Sam.”

Sams are mentors.  They come in all shapes and sizes and backgrounds.  But they can be one of your strongest allies as you go down the path of your life journey.

Over the next couple of weeks, we’re running excerpts from my upcoming book, Everyone Needs A Sam.

Today, an excerpt from Chapter One – The Sam

A Sam might be your spouse – sometimes. They might be your best friend, but not always. These individuals may come and go; others stay for a lifetime.

They are the ones who will stand by you when everyone else has deserted. They will speak the truth in your life when no one else will.  They will walk with you to the mountaintop and share your joy there; but also walk with you through your deepest valley and share your deepest pain.

It’s important to remember that Sams are human. And in the end, they can only do so much.  At some point, it’s up to you, because a true Sam is not a crutch.

One of my favorite books of all time is The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. What always struck me, besides the great battles of course, were the incredible bonds between the main characters. They always stood up for each other, defended each other, and took care of each other.

I always wanted to write about that.

There is a scene near the end of the last book where the hero, Frodo, and his best friend, Sam, are trying to get inside Mount Doom. Their mission is to throw a magical ring of pure evil that Frodo has carried throughout the three-book series into the fire to destroy it and save Middle Earth.

In this scene, Frodo collapses on the mountainside, he can’t go any farther.  Their long, dangerous journey has failed. Evil will take over Middle Earth.

Sam is also spent, but he refuses to give up. He looks at Frodo and says, “Come, Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you … Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to go, and he’ll go.” And then Sam picks up Frodo and starts to climb Mount Doom.

Not long ago, I remember watching the movie version with my wife, affectionately known as the Little Black Dress. I turned to her and said “Everyone needs a Sam.”

And she looked at me and said, “Write the book.”

And so I did.

A Sam can’t carry your burden, but he can carry you.

I am blessed. I have Sams, and I hope to meet more in the future. They stand with me; they tell me the truth; they guard my back.  When I simply don’t know what to do, where to turn, they show up. They will be among those who have the greatest impact in your life. Cherish them.

Everyone needs a Sam.

Let’s go find yours.