I make no secret that Green Lantern is my favorite superhero. I am endeared to him for a number of reasons, too lengthy of which to put in this post. I probably answered the question, “How did you like the Green Lantern movie?” about a hundred times.
Here’s the answer: I thought it was alright. It was like a Milky Way bar. I mean, I wasn’t expecting The King’s Speech. And I didn’t get that choked up about it. I thought some of it was cheesy, but overall I liked it.
People do ask though, “Ryan, why do you specifically like the Green Lantern?” Here’s one main reason:
He’s chosen.
The ring chooses the person. There’s no accident that gives power, a tragedy that elevates the human mind, or just happened to be born on a planet with a red sun. The ring can’t be earned or bought. It’s based on the person’s character and the ring can’t be fooled.
When my Resident Advisors are picked, I clearly explain to them that they are chosen:
I need you to understand something. The reason you are sitting in this room is that you got a gold medal in your interview, group process and application. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be sitting here. If you got a silver, if you choked at all you would be gone. And there are people who got alternate letters, who did not make the cut who got gold in all of those events. Your gold was just a bit shinier.
What you need to know is that you can still blow it. If your character comes into serious question, if you show yourself to be untrustworthy, you’ll lose this once in a lifetime opportunity.
There is no decision I make as a Resident Director as important as this. I have to be with you 9 months (at least) out of the year. The comfort in which I go to bed is completely related to how much I trust you. If I can’t trust your decisions, if I feel that students aren’t safe under your watch, you’ll be gone.
I know this sounds heavy. I know it sounds like I’m putting you on the line. But you have to understand we go to war about this decision. And we will teach you what it takes to be a fantastic resident advisor and strong leader. We believe in you—we have all the faith in the world in you. A smidge of doubt, an ounce of concern and you would not be here. But we authenticly believe you will do outstanding things here. And we are fortunate to stand with you.
When you instill the fact that they are chosen, that they were painstakingly picked, they are more apt to not blow it. We all want to be chosen; we all the ring to choose us.
I am going to steal your speech. It. Is. AWESOME!
This MORE than makes up for your Darth Vader debacle. Cause ain’t no way the Ring would have chosen Anakin Skywalker!
Can I work for you?
Ryan – I guess if DARTH VADER were an RA, your speech would sound like THIS:
“I need you to understand something. The reason you are sitting in this room is that you got a gold medal in your interview, group process and application. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be sitting here. If you got a silver, if you CHOKED at all you would be gone (literally!). And there are people who got alternate letters, who did not make the cut who got gold in all of those events. Your gold was just a bit shinier.
What you need to know is that you can still blow it. If your character comes into serious question, if you show yourself to be untrustworthy, you’ll lose YOUR LIFE.
There is no decision I make as a Resident Director as important as this. I have to be with you 10 months (at least) out of the year. The comfort in which I go to bed is completely related to how much I trust you. If I can’t trust your decisions, if I feel that students aren’t safe under your watch, you’ll be gone (LITERALLY).
I know this sounds heavy. I know it sounds like I’m putting you on the line. But you have to understand we go to war about this decision. And we will teach you what it takes to be a fantastic resident advisor and strong leader. We believe in you—we have all the faith in the world in you. A smidge of doubt, an ounce of concern and you would not be here (Cause I would CHOKE YOU). But we genuinely believe you will do outstanding things here. And we are fortunate to stand with you.”
Dude, that was like twelve posts ago. . .
evil knows no bounds
A classic and ever fitting speech. Being chosen is a great and important thing, and provides people that sense of belonging and purpose. It feels much better to have earned something than to have it simply given.
Ryan, I got goosebumps reading your speech. Goosebumps! Totally cliché, yes; but nonetheless true.