<p class="bodytext">‘Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.’ This quote holds profound meaning today, as true friendships seem to vanish into the background of fast-paced lives and self-interest. The friendship between Krishna and Sudama depicts a beautiful example of true friendship, deep-rooted in mutual respect, love and loyalty that surpassed wealth and social status. Their bond was not built on compassion and understanding, traits not often seen in modern relationships.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Many of us feel deceived by those whom we once called friends. It is common to hear, ‘We were best friends a long time ago and now we don’t talk,’ or ‘My friend used me for personal gain.’ The worst of all is, ‘I was betrayed by someone I trusted deeply.’ These experiences make us question the authenticity of our friendships. When someone uses or deceives us, that association lacks the essence of true friendship. These friendships are shallow, lacking selfless care or genuine connection. My friend once shared how she helped a friend secure a job, only to be met with indifference and ungratefulness later. This makes us wonder whether we should expect gratitude in friendship. Ideally, friendship is about giving without expecting. But at its core, even unconditional love deserves to be acknowledged with kindness.</p>.<p class="bodytext">True friendship is cultivated over time. Choosing the right person as a friend requires considering several aspects. We need to learn to differentiate between friends and acquaintances. Just because someone is often present in our everyday life does not mean they are emotionally invested in our well-being. A true friend uplifts us when life gets difficult, someone who brings positive energy rather than draining us with negativity. They walk beside us through our difficult times, without exploiting us emotionally, morally or financially. Boundaries, time, distance or differences cannot stop a true friendship. If we find such a person, we should keep them close and most importantly, we should strive to possess the same qualities we expect from them.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Empathy, equanimity, mutual respect, honesty, selflessness and support in adversity are the true essence of friendship. The bond between Krishna and Sudama reminds us of the magic that lies in pure selflessness. In a world of fleeting connections, such friendships are rare treasures worth cherishing for a lifetime. </p>
<p class="bodytext">‘Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.’ This quote holds profound meaning today, as true friendships seem to vanish into the background of fast-paced lives and self-interest. The friendship between Krishna and Sudama depicts a beautiful example of true friendship, deep-rooted in mutual respect, love and loyalty that surpassed wealth and social status. Their bond was not built on compassion and understanding, traits not often seen in modern relationships.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Many of us feel deceived by those whom we once called friends. It is common to hear, ‘We were best friends a long time ago and now we don’t talk,’ or ‘My friend used me for personal gain.’ The worst of all is, ‘I was betrayed by someone I trusted deeply.’ These experiences make us question the authenticity of our friendships. When someone uses or deceives us, that association lacks the essence of true friendship. These friendships are shallow, lacking selfless care or genuine connection. My friend once shared how she helped a friend secure a job, only to be met with indifference and ungratefulness later. This makes us wonder whether we should expect gratitude in friendship. Ideally, friendship is about giving without expecting. But at its core, even unconditional love deserves to be acknowledged with kindness.</p>.<p class="bodytext">True friendship is cultivated over time. Choosing the right person as a friend requires considering several aspects. We need to learn to differentiate between friends and acquaintances. Just because someone is often present in our everyday life does not mean they are emotionally invested in our well-being. A true friend uplifts us when life gets difficult, someone who brings positive energy rather than draining us with negativity. They walk beside us through our difficult times, without exploiting us emotionally, morally or financially. Boundaries, time, distance or differences cannot stop a true friendship. If we find such a person, we should keep them close and most importantly, we should strive to possess the same qualities we expect from them.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Empathy, equanimity, mutual respect, honesty, selflessness and support in adversity are the true essence of friendship. The bond between Krishna and Sudama reminds us of the magic that lies in pure selflessness. In a world of fleeting connections, such friendships are rare treasures worth cherishing for a lifetime. </p>
