Yaari, Dosti etc.

Since childhood I have been blessed with so many friends from different levels of society. During those days we do not need to remind with ‘Har ek friend zar-rU-rI ho-ta hai’. It was assumed and widely known and accepted thing. Unlike my son and his friends we didn’t have much options of playing. It was a simple choice; indoor or outdoor. And decision was finalized within 2-3 options. Today I watch my son and his friends argue over indoor activities from board games to watching tv or outdoor games, whether cricket, football etc.

God has been kind, as those around me were stronger, taller or sharper than me. So unknowingly I tried to improve myself, first to compete with them; but eventually it took out the best in me.

There were various activities we had done together from meeting in a common place at common time for more than decade to trips and activities which usually young guys do at that age. There used to be arguments, hot discussions even fights and hot words exchanged, but somehow things used to mellow down at the end.

One thought (‘message’ is too heavy word) I would like to share. Whether you accept it or not; but at this age it is very difficult (not impossible, of course) to find new friends. Whether you like it or not, there is very bold line between friends and colleagues. The former remains with us but latter is totally dependent on our and their tenure in the company. Professional friendship has many limitations and it cannot go beyond certain point (with some exceptions). There cannot be heart-to-heart talk. You usually don’t share your private and personal life and secret with them. In fact they don’t know the real ‘you’. They may be in your ‘Friends’ list in Facebook, but dimension is always superficial.

So it becomes very important to stick to your old buddies who has not only seen your various moods and colors but many times tolerated it as well. Now we may be focused in our family, the priorities might have changed there might be some added work pressure and tension. As they say: there might have lot of water passed by. In this scenario we might have missed to keep track of each other, even might have missed to call/meet each other when we should have been. Let's try not to repeat it and also to bridge the gap. Though I think it has happened unintentionally and the friendship that has tested through time should not be diluted. At our age we should be more mature and should not allow misunderstanding to stand on its feet. Why there should be a misunderstanding when we perfectly know that deep down in our hearts we always wish wellbeing of each other. Lets Forgive and Forget. Because as my master says: 'To err is human and to forgive is also a human' (to reach the divine this is one way).

I would like to conclude with a song, which I would like to share:

दिये जलते है फुल खिलते है

बडी मुश्कील से मगर दुनिया में दोस्त मिलते है !

-Shashank