Friends forever

I am an intensely private person. I don't tolerate strangers and I am happy just to be on my own. I know of many people who need to be in a crowd, I would barely survive a day in that environment. So does that mean I don't have friends or that I don't appreciate one? Of course not. All of us weave circles around us. The inner most circle is filled with people whom you are really fond of. These are the type of friends for whom you would drop what you are doing when they need you, and vice-versa. These are guys with whom you happily share your success stories and disappointments of life. It is truly difficult to share success stories, and share you must because success is so critical to a vibrant life. Why is it so difficult to share success? From experience I have found that it is when you are brimming with confidence or down in the dumps that you are at your most vulnerable. Especially for cholerics like me. We shoot off our mouths before the head can make any sense of it. And live to regret it! It is basic human nature to make use of the information that you have and it is at those moments you are able to differentiate a mere friend from a true one. I have friends who have shared information of the phenomenal amounts of wealth that they possess or profits earned. In many cases profits have materialised from deals of which I have been part. But never have I wished for a part of it or for more than what I deserve. Those friends are still in my life. It is how you treat the information that is shared that sets your apart as a friend. Friendship and money don't mix. Good friends always split the bills because they know how difficult it is for the other person to earn it. I consider it a true catastrophe when someone you have considered to be in your inner circle betrays you. Such an act wears you down, makes you lose hope about fellow human beings. Friends are fantastic, cherish them, enjoy them and always remember how Sudama carried his friendship with Krishna.