I am of the opinion that friendship is one bond that is sacred yet toxic. On one hand, the bond you share with a friend is one that seems to make the world a bit brighter. The joy of one individual is something that can become so infectious, even more so if they are your friend. On the other however, I have seen far too many individuals destroyed by friendship. The peer-influence, the 'doing things I don't want to do' all become a major factor in affecting us. Take my experience in high school as an example, my buddies Ben, Adam, Iskander and Zhi Jun shared a bond with me. We shared our ups and downs, picked the other up when he was beaten down and cheered on the other in his moments of glory. We exchanged tales of our mischiefs and virtues, laughed about our weakness and scrutinized our strengths. It was amazing! To me, it seemed that we had created a bubble, a safe zone where nothing is true and everything is permitted (Nerd alert). Even when we got involved with our girlfriends we strived to make sure it never drove a wedge between us. If there ever were an exemplification of "Bro's before ho's" our friendship would be just that. Those guys were the clean and clear cut side of my social circle.
Later on, I then met the people who truly opened my eyes to the world, my teachers and my guides to the sides of the world I had missed, they showed me pain and pleasure. They introduced me to alcohol (so damn, good), the beautiful lady Mary-Jane and the wonders of electronic music. Where the first group was the ideal clique, the second was not. And they were proud of it; I saw with my own eyes how their flaws accentuated their existence. It made life easier knowing that somewhere out there, with bigger problems than mine. It made me be more selfless, to strive to lessen the pain of others. To learn be a better listener, and a better friend. They also taught me those lessons you will never learn in class, like when I was being too generous, how to see people for who they are rather than what they should be. I was a naive kid before I met them and they matured me.
However with all good things there must always be the negatives. I met the people who made my life seem so good, it was depressing. I always met people who scammed me off of my money. And the people that would sell me out in an instant if they could. I considered them my friends, for anyone who says hello and smiles can be my friend, and I paid the price in blood, sweat and tears. But I am thankful, were it not for them I would have believed this world to be perfect. I would have been stepped on further in life when the stakes are so much higher. They built me and for that I thank them. Friendship builds you, it's just a matter of putting you up high or pushing you down under. Which is why I love my friends, even the crappy ones for they moulded me into the man I am today.
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