Life by the beach

I was not that popular in secondary school, I did not have a lot of friends. Well, that could be understated. Living at the hostel seemed to extend one's social network. Everyone seemed to know you and you knew everybody. The probability of remembering that same individual and sharing a common event or incident is quite high. 

But true friends were scarce. Then I guessed, as teenagers, we were less sensitive to these kind of stuff. Everything revolved around entertainment and enjoyment. You will attract more friends if you have money and occasionally come with gifts, new toys or food, you can easily get around if you were outgoing, if you were funny or you just have that likable or charming personality.

So, how much do you know the people you think you know?

As we get older (and wiser), we are more tolerant and try our best to be accepted and to accept friends within the social circle that we are in. We greeted or smiled politely and maintain courtesy towards everybody at work. We are all friends at work or are we really? Unbeknown to us, a colleague could be complaining behind our back.

Can you buy friendship? or respect? 

I have known individuals who are generous with money and gifts and earned respect from friends and relatives. When that person made a mistake, did something out of line or hurt other individuals (that might not have a price index), others simply kept silent. Fearful that one will be alienated by the rest of the troupe or cut off from the list beneficiaries. 

An eye for an eye?

I remembered teacher's day celebration way back years ago. A colleague opened a present from one of her student. She let out a chuckle. The gift was a packet of tissue (pocket sized) nicely wrapped in colored paper. I reminded her that, it was the thought that counts.

I remembered hearing a snicker that broke into a laugh when a person opened the envelope given at a wedding function (usually people gave money instead of gifts and this became a tradition). It was a one dollar bill. I will never forget that face and that laugh. If you get that person an expensive gift for his/her birthday, I am sure that you will get an expensive gift in return. Does sincerity come with a price? 

So, why not present our dear and close ones with our endless Dua'? A good sincere Dua' will be priceless. And it is the thought that counts, right?