Being a young adult is a glorious time that fades far too quickly, a time when most experience some of their greatest joys and sorrows. Some choices made during that time will affect you not just for tomorrow, but for years to come. For me the best thing I ever did was surround myself with friends stronger than myself. These kids knew who they were, what they wanted out of life, and weren’t willing to sacrifice those desires for anything or anybody. Their strength and motivation not only cocooned me from the turmoil of poor decisions made by other youth, it drove me to want more from my own life.

Be careful of the friends you chose. They are far more powerful than you might realize.