A friend indeed

Feeling lonely?

 'Hey bot! I am feeling lost! What should I do?' In a lonely world, interactions with our seemingly sweet and helpful AI companions are becoming dangerous, posing psychological issues. With the geographical scattering of families, increased screen time, and workloads, people are less connected than ever, even though connecting to someone is just a WhatsApp call away. Even with technology advancements, we are feeling more distant than ever. Our 'Nila choru' (நிலா சோறு) days are a thing of the past. 

Loneliness has become a norm. Friendships are changing. We don't even know how to connect anymore. A thousand WhatsApp groups for what purpose when relationships are fading? What if an old friend is no longer someone you like and has become someone who criticises you most of the time?

Friends forever!

Everyone is glued to work, family needs, bank loans, and our friendly neighbourhood Instagram. Terrace memories only linger in Google Photos. All the happy and innocent faces have turned into adults with life problems—not to mention the Teens and early twenties! Born with technology at their fingertips, they don't dare to handle failures.

What we need the most is a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold onto, a kind face, the familiarity, serenity in silence, with no need for explanation. 

Who will cry when we die? Our family, our kin, but most of all, the people who were or are still our friends. It is the most beautiful relationship in the world! FRIENDSHIP!!

Friends!!

When you read this and think of someone who's the dearest of all your friends, call them that instant. Because life is too short. Our life always gets busier, but spending an extra hour with our dearest is worth it. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Why don't we be that friend in need?

We all like to be heard. So next time a friend calls, let's listen and not hear. Let's follow up with them during hard times instead of assuming they will be ok. It is time to stop micromanaging a friend's needs. Let 'them' decide for themselves. For a friendship to survive all the bumps, the most important thing is to stop living in the past and take it over to the future based on the current situation and life goals. Two friends would have wanted the same stuff in their teens, but may have different interests and opinions now. Let's respect each other for who we are now. 

There are things we can share only with a friend. Distance, time and age don't matter in friendship. No matter how friendships change in future, the fun times together always hold a special place in our hearts. A shout-out to all the beautiful friendships in the world!!