We are men -- human beings, born not onto an island. We were all born into a world, into people. Had you been born into this world alone, with no other human beings with you, how could you have coped? How could you have known any language? Even if you learnt how to speak by yourself, whom would you have spoken your language with? So, up to this point you can understand that, our ability to survive in this world depends largely on other human beings, who can help us cope with life. Therefore, so fortunately for us, we were born into families, and FRIENDS!
Yes, we were born into families and friends, such lovely people! We first begin with our families. We talk with them, they talk with us; they guide and advise us; they teach and play with us; they groom us first for life in this world. Then, we go out. When we go out, we go and make friends, different people from other different families. We meet them in different places -- in our neighbourhood, in schools, at the market places, by the road side, different places. And truth is, it is this group of people we get associated with - FRIENDS - that can make or mar our lives. Read on...
Oh we love them! We love them so much. We do everything together with them. Where they are, people see us; where we are, people see them: because we believe that some of them are by far more loving than even some of our own people, our own family members. So we make them one of our own, and we make ourselves one of their own. But knowingly or unknowingly, with time, they begin forcing their ways into our personal lives, and influencing us in one way or the other, positively or negatively. How positively? How negatively?
No doubt, some friends are good! Some are really good! In fact, their goodness sometimes surpasses that of our own families. They love. They care. They commit their very lives to us, and serve us in any way possible. They are selfless. They think first about us, before considering themselves. If they end up losing anything valuable for our sakes, oh that's fine. They do not care. They say, "after all, what are friends for?" They are not proud. They do not condescend. They do not treat us despicably, as though we are not important. When they go wrong, they quickly apologise; when we offend them, they eagerly forgive us. They offer good pieces advice. They build us. With them in our lives, we feel safe, for, they would never let out any secrets. Never! And because of all these things they do for us, we love them. O, we love them!
If all friends were like this, wouldn't life be pleasant? But, there are bad nuts, very bad nuts, among them. They hurt us; they don't care. They see us suffer; they are happy within. We trust them; they betray us. We offend them; they bitterly avenge. When they are in need we help them; when they have, they say they do not have. They listen to our stories, and then sell them out. They give us the wrong counsel, and show us the bad way. Sometimes we have godly backgrounds; once they enter our lives, we lose our godliness! They know our weaknesses, so they capitalise on them, and stab us in the back. Such friends exist. They truly exist.
But then, we have choices -- choices to make them, and let them go. We have the choice to keep the positive ones, and get rid of the negative ones. Even if we have already made them, we still have the choice to flush them out! Moreover, we still have the choice to be alone without any friends. Yes, it is possible. If only that is what will keep us safe, what stops us from being alone?
Because I know this, I am very careful, for as good as friends can be, they could also be so unbelievably wicked! If they are positive I keep them; if otherwise, I quickly server the friendship. It would be better for me to keep myself the way I was brought up, than to compromise for them, and miss an important mark. When they walk away I do not worry. Sometimes they murmur; I do not compromise. And that is what has brought me this far. That is what has put this smile of satisfaction on my face. Today, the choice is yours, too. Will you make the right choices, and then, smile like me?
Spend today well...
ISAAC ESSOUN
