Learning to be a Better Friend
Friends don’t say goodbye — They say, See you next time.
I’ve been blessed with good friends; I never needed a lot.
When I was younger, I wanted a lot of friends. I thought having many friends meant I was likable, that knowing a lot of people equals the number of friendships I can foster.
That changed as I grew old. I didn't purposely cut ties with people; I just learned that quality mattered more than quantity, and that was very apparent in the friendships I kept as time went by.
Some people grew up without friends at all. A good friend of mine thought he was a loser because he had none growing up. But it only took maybe one or two real friends to change his life and shift his mindset.
Just like one good thought can spark a new way of thinking, sometimes all it takes is one word of encouragement to transform how we see ourselves. Sometimes, one single chance is good enough to ignite the pursuit of a dream.
I realized that friendship is not only strengthened by the amount of time spent together but also fortified by the time spent away from each other. Most of the friends I grew up with are now spread across the map. Like me, some of them moved out of the small town we grew up in and then eventually out of the country we all ever knew, not for pleasure but in search of better opportunities and to explore what the horizon offers.
As men, we barely get in touch with each other, we rarely message each other, or keep up with each other’s lives. But when we do reconnect or see each other, it’s as if no time had passed. Our friendship does not skip a beat, we don't ask How are you? Or what’s new? We just enjoy the moment, create more memories, or reminisce. When it’s time to say goodbye again, we don’t make promises, because we know we’ll see each other again.
The most recent circles I’ve created are equally as important, because these are connections I have made outside of my childhood. Now that I am older, I’ve realized how hard it is to find organically forged relationships that are not based on work, social clubs, or hobbies. The circles I’ve created for myself are not only the products of my interests but also of my circumstances. I believe that the right people are placed in my life at the exact moment I need them, and for that, I’ve gained excellent acquaintances.
The best friendships I had created were not built in the spotlight, I didn't seek them out, they evolved organically, quietly, and genuinely.
I only wish to hope that I am as good as my friends are to me. I am still learning, please be patient with me.
Thank you, friends.