I've got a lot of fans, but I say friends, because every time I

The words of Jason David Frank, warrior of both screen and spirit, strike a chord that reaches beyond the world of fame and into the eternal bond between human souls: “I’ve got a lot of fans, but I say friends, because every time I meet a fan somewhere around the world, I don’t consider them a fan; I consider them as a friend.” Here lies the wisdom that to elevate another from fan to friend is to break down the walls of hierarchy and to embrace the sacred truth that all human beings long for connection, not distance.

The meaning of this quote is clear: to see those who admire you not as followers to be kept apart, but as companions on the journey of life, is to practice humility and love. Fame often builds barriers, exalting one above the many. Yet Jason David Frank chose to lower the walls, to meet the gaze of those who came to him, not as worshipers but as equals. This act transforms fleeting admiration into lasting friendship, and what is shallow into something profound.

Frank, who embodied the Green Ranger and became a hero to countless children of the 1990s, lived his life not only as a performer but as a mentor and fighter in the martial arts. He understood that the stories told on screen gave hope, but the stories lived off-screen gave comfort and strength. At conventions, tournaments, and gatherings, he gave his time freely to those who sought him, treating each handshake, each smile, each conversation as though it were between friends. This philosophy elevated his legacy, for he gave people not just entertainment, but belonging.

History, too, shows the power of such humility. Consider Mahatma Gandhi, who walked not above the people but among them. Though he became a symbol of freedom and resistance, he chose to live simply, eat simply, and walk in the dust with those he served. To his followers, he was not a distant idol, but a friend of the people. It was this closeness, this sense of equality, that gave his movement its unshakable strength. For when the mighty treat the lowly as companions, the bond forged becomes unbreakable.

This teaching shows us that the greatest gift one can offer is recognition—to see another person not as faceless or secondary, but as a soul worthy of friendship. In this way, admiration becomes mutual respect, and the many are bound together as one family. To treat others as friends rather than admirers is to affirm their dignity, and to remind them that we are all walking together on the same road of life.

The lesson for you, seeker, is to never place yourself so high that others cannot reach you, nor to see others as beneath you because of their station. Whether in moments of success or in the quiet of daily life, look upon every person you meet as a potential friend. In doing so, you not only build bonds that outlast fame and fortune but also carry within you the spirit of humility and love.

Practical actions flow from this truth. When praised, respond with gratitude but also with openness, turning the praise into a moment of connection. When admired, do not retreat into pride, but extend your hand. Practice listening more than speaking, so that others feel seen. Carry yourself not as one above, but as one beside. In this way, you, too, transform strangers into companions, admirers into friends.

So remember, children of tomorrow: the true hero is not one who gathers countless fans, but one who creates countless friendships. Fame fades, but friendship endures. Treat those who approach you with respect, honor, and kinship, and you will leave behind not just memories of greatness, but a legacy of love that will echo across time.