"A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."
Unknown
Each time I feel useless and a
burden on the earth, (Dharti ka bhojj) a friend walks closer to my heart,
unfolds the clouds of depression and lifts my spirit up. Friends’ smiles have
added a bright sunshine in my life and I have found them at every walk of life.
Flashback to my childhood, takes me to a profile of a close friend who cared a
lot for me. Her name was Usha Singh, I don’t know where she is now but we were
very close to each other at the age of 5years.
Rolling through the transcript
of my life, I have moved places, countries, life and lost many friends on the
route; I change a new best friend, (every five years, I have noticed), matching
my personality with them. I didn’t forget their names (I do remember them) but
didn’t keep in touch with them after they crossed the borders over to their new
life with a different name. Through the social media, I have found few and have
interacted with them too but I have moved on.
Essential base for friendship is
utility, pleasure, virtue, honesty and common interest.
On social network too, we
develop friendship with the person whom we have never met, but that is on an
intellectual level. I have many virtual close friends to whom I feel connected
and care a lot. When I don’t see them for long period, I worry about their
well-being. These are friends to whom we are attracted not by the way they look
(most of them are photo-shopped profiles, but who care?) but by their skills,
talent and thoughts. These friendships do break off when the expectation does
not match with our imaginations. They shouldn’t. But what can one say of a friend
who is disappointed by the way we look? Is it important to match the looks with
intelligence and comfort?
Pleasure is the essential base
for friendship.
Every friendship has a pleasure
attached. We can overlook the short-comings of a person that cannot be helped,
like color, caste, size, health. (These are always overlooked on online
friends). But friendship should bring a joy for it to flourish. We have a good
reason to reject her/him when we meet them personally if we are offended by the
way they behave. On a physical level, we tend to observe their ethics, manners
and culture, their ability to talk sensibly and their sensitively towards
delicate issues. The cleanliness and their dressing style also matters. The
person who has no time to take care of themselves first because they are lazy
to do so, how can we expect them to find time for us?
Let’s face facts. There has to
be a utility value to the friendship. Everybody needs moral, physical and
emotional support. Friendship follows the rule: I give, and you give too. It
has to be interactive and reciprocal. The gender of the friendship is not
important but if it is just one way friendship, it cannot last for long. The
best friendship is the friendship between women. Women have the caring nature
and are willing to offer help whenever the need arises. There is so much to share.
It’s not gossip, it’s emotional speculation, a good friendships that lasts
life-time understands all the qualities of a close friend, good/bad, and accepts
them.
Once a friend, always a friend
is my mantra.
In a good friend, sentiments and
honesty is the only glue that binds the relationship for ever.
Participating in a post a day with Marathon Bloggers
Participating in a post a day with Marathon Bloggers
Beautifully written! "Interactive and reciprocal" these two words pretty much sum it up!
ReplyDeleteFriendship is the most treasured relation for me :)
ReplyDeletewell written
Very honest writing Pushpa! :) I agree with the part about reciprocating in a friendship, it could be reciprocating feelings or help or by just being there in need. It also helps to remember that we should meet everyone with an open mind and learn and absorb what we like in them. Cheers to Day 1!! :) ~ Simran
ReplyDeleteI think that's the only relationship that every single human really gets to choose on earth :) Spread the love!
ReplyDeleteIndeed this is a thoughtful post.
ReplyDeleteWell penned.
well written but i must say, opposite sexes can build a strong relationship and can be best friends too, like Anu (my wife) and I. Married for 10 years and it feels like we have been best friends first and then husband/wife. Whom you are friends with is not important as long as there is trust, Interaction and each one reciprocates. Friendship over relatives always the right choice. :) Happy Blogging.
ReplyDeleteYou are right..friendship is a two way street..even if sometimes the silences are too long - we need to know that we are there for each other.
ReplyDelete