A few days back, I had the immense pleasure of hosting a gathering, a beautiful reunion of souls with whom I’d shared my formative years. As we sat around, reminiscing about our collective past, laughing over innocent childhood shenanigans, and recounting the struggles that defined our youthful years, it was as though time had stepped back for a moment, allowing us to relive those cherished memories (and after few drinks these become vivid memories).
The magic of friendship, the bonds that tie us together, and the shared experiences that form the fabric of our lives are the elements that came to life in our gathering. Friendships are the threads that weave together the tapestry of our lives, adding colour, texture, and depth to our existence. They provide a continuum in our lives, connecting our past to our present and shaping our future.
However, in the aftermath of the gathering, a few comments emerged that centred around the differences in ideologies among those present and those absent – though I intended to have a small gathering of friends who had known each other since grade one. It was a stark reminder that while we all shared a common past, our paths had diverged in ways that led to varied beliefs and perspectives.
While differences in ideologies are a reality of life, I firmly believe that friendship transcends these differences. Yes, our friends may not always share our beliefs or viewpoints, but that’s exactly what makes these relationships so enriching. They allow us to view life through a different lens, appreciate perspectives that we might not have considered otherwise, and grow as individuals.
In an increasingly polarized world, it’s more important than ever to uphold the values of tolerance, understanding, and respect for diverse perspectives. Even with differing ideologies, a gathering of friends should celebrate this diversity and the shared history that binds us together.
To reject or exclude someone from our circle due to differences in ideology undermines the essence of friendship. It denies us the opportunity to engage in healthy debates, to learn from each other, and to grow together. It erects walls where bridges should be, stifles understanding, and breeds intolerance.
Political leanings, religious beliefs, or personal ideologies do not bind our friendships. They are bound by shared memories, mutual respect, and the unconditional love that forms the bedrock of these relationships. They are bound by laughter and tears, struggles and victories, and the countless moments that define our lives.
We must strive to see beyond these differences, celebrate our shared history and cherish the bonds that tie us together. After all, friendships are not about uniformity of thought; they are about unity in diversity, about cherishing the differences that make each of us unique and valuing the common threads that bind us.
In the grand scheme of life, it’s not our ideologies that define us; our actions, our relationships, and our ability to respect and understand each other. So, let’s cherish our friendships, appreciate the diversity they bring into our lives, and strive to live harmoniously amidst these differences.
After all, these friendships, these precious bonds of love, respect, and understanding, truly enrich our lives, adding colour, texture, and depth to the tapestry of our existence.
PS This is in continuation with my previous post Living alone. Look at the graph carefully and think how will we spend our time with age.
Thinking Out Loud 