- Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.
- Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.
- A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself
- Your friend is the one who knows all about you, and still likes you
Role of Geography: Friendships in today’s global world are complicated very unlike childhood and college friends. I used to earlier think that friendships are lifelong. I have acquired a slightly different view now. With so many of us moving towns and traveling often, I have observed that friendships may last a lifetime, but are strengthened based on geographical distance. Sometime back two of my friends move to Singapore, and I observed that the affection continues, but I also have seen that we have eventually dropped out of touch. Initially I used to feel that such occurrences were tragedy. But now this has become business as usual. Although many of us maintain long-distance friendships, it is not the same thing as having friends within the same city.
Role of Professional and Financial Status: I really feel bad writing this, but after much thought, I have come to reconcile with the sorry truth about friendships. That is, once we are out of college, most of our friendships are status and hierarchy based. We make friends in so many ways, at work, near home, other friends introduce us to interesting people and one makes more friends. If one observes closely most of people will be in same economic bracket. The rich hang around other rich people (or their chamchas, the sycophants); the middle class engages in socialization with others like them. If you think a little, the reason that most of the people are in same economic stature is because in order to do things together with friends, whether it is eating out, partying, vacation, one has to be on the same page with respect to many things, but most importantly the budget.
Networking vs friendship: There is the whole business of “networking”. We are told by our elders and also colleagues to network and develop a circle of friends who can then be tapped for information and advice when needed. My view here professional networks aren’t friendships. Someone rightly said” You can network with people you don’t like; but you can’t stay friends with people you dislike.”
The Exceptions: There are few exceptional individuals who will cut across class and professional lines and socialize with other profession, not so well paying.
Whom to call friend: First and foremost one should feel joyous, ecstatic and blissful during the connecting moments. I have always believed in “pure” friends; that is you have have fun together and get along with each other’s idiosyncrasies. No strings attached. Anything favour that one wants, one can just call and ask. Thats what friendship should be about.
Frequency of contact: At least once a month personal communication and continual mental recall. Just forwards won’t do. It like you don’t remember a person for 4 weeks you are out of their mind.
Give the above I am forced to conclude that my relationship with SAI fits the bill for a True Friendship. And so I need to maintain contact with HIM as frequently as possible to keep this friendship going. Thats why i started going to Puttaparthy everymonth in the year 2006. However, now i have moved to Dubai and so its getitng incrementally difficult to go and see HIM Physically. And so when i am in a gathering of human beings, I attempt to see HIM in people around. When I am alone put on Bhajan Stream of Radio Sai or otherwise Rudram Chanting on my mobile. That makes me feel very good. These moments of connect are really Blissful, Ecstasy and Joy.
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