“I’d take a bullet for you.”
Well, I appreciate that. But could you start by returning my fucking phone call?
People make these enormous declarations of loyalty like we’re standing in the final scene of an action movie.
They’d take a bullet. Walk through fire. Fight an army.
But pick you up from the airport? Help when something goes wrong? Show up when they said they would?
Apparently, those require a little more consideration.
I don’t need everyone in my life prepared to dive in front of gunfire. I’d settle for someone who checks in when things are rough and follows through without needing to be chased.
Most of us will never face that dramatic moment. What we do face is a friend having a bad week, a family member needing help, or somebody who could use an hour of our time.
Those moments don’t come with a soundtrack. Nobody applauds. You just have to decide whether you’re willing to be inconvenienced.
That tells me more than the speech.
So before you tell someone you’d take a bullet for them, ask yourself whether you’d take their call, keep your promise, or give up part of your Saturday.
Let’s establish that first.