Someone sent me a nice quote, which read that “Life is like a party” – some will come early, some later, some will enjoy while others will crib. Some will leave early while some others will leave late. Only a few will stay back after the party is over ,to clean up the place ,along with you.

So, you know, who your true friends are. Some come for maintaining their status, others come in to make their presence felt. Some consider it a formality while some others want to enjoy every moment of the party. But, when the party is over and it is time to clean up the place, very few will stay behind for that ,with you.

Life is no different. We meet all kinds of people, all along our way in life. Of course our family members join us early in this journey and generally stay back till the end. Friends may come and go as they deem fit but true friends will stay with you ,till the end of your journey.

We need to develop the ability to understand different types of people, whom we meet along the life journey. Some join us with a purpose and as soon as their purpose is fulfilled, will leave and go. Some others want to be with us ,for our wealth or comforts. They may be the first to leave if we get into any financial trouble or any other issue, which may impact their comforts.

True friends and relatives stay with you all through your thick and thin in life. The beauty of these friends is that are unconditional and never expect anything from you. They love you unconditionally and care for you always. Today I got a call from a friend of over four decades, who belongs to this category. We started our career together and treaded different routes ,to achieve our career goals. Both of us achieved what we could, in our respective careers. However, neither our position nor social status ever determined the quality of our friendship.

The quality of true relationships goes beyond money, time and status in society. We care for each other as honest human beings and enjoy each other’s company always. We do not use each other but are there for each other ,without even being sought for. A true friend may not call you or visit you for months or years but will always be around, whenever you need their support. They are just a call away, always.

So, life is indeed like a party ,we host at home. We may invite a wide variety of people. Some we enjoy, others enjoy at our expense. Some like us and others may not. But the true friends will be there with no invitation or no purpose beyond their care for you. They will be around from the beginning of the party till the end and clean up the place along with you and then leave.

We need to develop the ability to understand the different kinds of people. While we may not have a choice always to choose whom we would like to invite for the party, we can always learn to differentiate the rice from the husk. True friends are loving, caring and compassionate. They are with you during good and bad times.

Let us learn to enjoy the party of life with all kinds of people around us.

S Ramesh Shankar

10th Jan 2025