Um, Frodo?...Yeah, we need to talk.

Guys, I'm finally reading LOTR, and it's the real deal. I read the Hobbit about 5 times, because I don't know why. This time I skipped to what we think of as the trilogy (although it's actually one big book divided into six parts).

And I'm embarrassed to admit, but now that I'm reading the book, Gandalf has fallen from the greatest-of-the-greys to, well, kind-of-a-bum in my eyes. Because he gave Frodo bad advice! Bad advice. There, I said it, even about Gandalf, the most beloved character for many a fan. But I'll explain why, so just hear me out.

In the beginning of the book, Gandalf bears grave tidings to Frodo. Frodo not only must carry the ring to its destruction, but must fearfully avoid the power of the ring over his own mind, and “keep it secret, keep it safe,” according to Gandalf. Once this responsibility fully sinks in, Frodo spends an entire spring and summer dreading his journey, swallowing lumps in his throat, and keeping it all secret.

Now, Gandalf’s advice to keep the ring secret and safe appears to mean that not one living soul should know that Frodo carries the ring; however, it's possible that Gandalf could not foresee the good hearts of Frodo’s friends. Slowly, one by one, Frodo’s friends bumble their way into Frodo’s business and at the last minute, announce that they will accompany him on his journey, as a group. They reveal that they have known all along that he plotted to sneak away alone! They knew he would refuse help unless they sprung it on him at the last moment, so they...sprung it on him, at the last moment.

Isn’t it incredible that Frodo feels his secret mission weigh heavy on his soul, per Gandalf's advice, but when the facts are out in the open, his friends all start to laugh? Now who knows what the ring may or may not symbolize. Nevertheless, Frodo's experience illustrates the contrast between keeping burdens secret and sharing them with friends. Sharing burdens can bring a lightness and easiness to the dark secrets and fears buried in our hearts.

None of these hobbits knows the incredible fear, uncertainty, hunger, pain, and darkness that awaits them outside the Shire, but they stick together through it all. If they had never guessed at Frodo’s heavy burden, he may have gone alone, and surely failed. The journey was much too heavy for one hobbit alone.

We cannot always guess the secret burdens our friends, family members, or coworkers carry, but we can pay attention, and observe them over time. We can confess our own struggles, and perhaps they will feel comfortable sharing theirs too. Or we can offer companionship and humor and shared meals and walk together through life, to ease the things they will not, or cannot, talk about. And Gandalf still saves the day, more than once, despite his imperfections. Maybe we are all just a little like the hobbits, and Gandalf, at different times.

Hehe remember these old cartoons?