Last week, a friend told me, “You’re one of the people on my Swiss knife.”

I looked perplexed, so he went on. “People carry a Swiss knife around with them so they will have all the tools they might need in any situation,” he said. “You’re one of my tools.”

Who knew that being called a tool could be a compliment?

When people carry a Swiss knife, they forget about it most of the time; they only remember it when a challenge arises. Then they dig into their pocket to pull out the best tool for the situation: maybe a large sharp knife to sever something that needs to be cut away, a smaller knife for the precision work, a screwdriver to tighten loose screws, or a can opener to access nourishment.

We all have a metaphorical Swiss knife, I think.

We carry friends, mentors, and teachers with us unconsciously, and when a challenge arises we call on them to help us through: a word of advice to sever something that needs to be cut away, a hug for the precision work, laughter to tighten loose screws, or a happy memory to nourish the soul.

Who are the people on your Swiss knife?