I was scheduled to meet my friends from Ngee Ann Poly, yeah time really files it was 2003/04 when I met them. The cause of our friendship, this is a correct description, was the pure chance that we were in the same tutorial group. But that was only the spark; it wasn’t the fuel of our friendship.
Every one of us, when we were in polytechnic was driven and motivated to do well in school. Each of us contributed to a social support group for one another, as they say, the journey will feel easier and shorter when one is with good company. And good company they were. In my opinion, they were the very best my cohort good offer.
The truth is, in each of them I see a different quality that is not inherent to me. I do not know how they see me, but this is how I see them. They are like mirrors, reflecting who I am. When I speak to them, my words bound off them and I hear myself. Through them, I my self reflection became sharper and more concise. For the purpose of illustration, I will use Eric, I would hope and at the same time I know that he won’t mind. Eric is a Christian, not just any Christian; he is very active in church, a super Christian. He would give up so much of his time to serve the church sometimes I would wonder if he still has enough time for himself. But he is a very good example of self sacrifice, altruism. I will not list all that I have observed, but I shall talk about the impact on me. Putting others before oneself so selflessly is something I which have eluded me. But I try, and through Eric I know that it is possible, because he is doing it, and happy doing it. Which means that is it possible to be selfless.
For what other purpose did God give us strength if it’s not to protect the weak? Why would God bless me if not for me to use those blessings to bless others? If I have the gift of speech, then it is not to lie and deceive but to motivate and inspire. If I have the gift of knowledge, then it is not to abuse and dominate but to share and enlighten. We must be the bearer of light into dark places.
It was Eric from so many years ago which was the inspiration for the above. But how did he inspire me? All he did was to exist as a person, and all I did was to observe a good example. I learned not from what he did, but from how he lived, not from the words of his mouth but the thoughts of his mind and the emotions of his heart.
Eric is one of many inspirations I found within my humble circle of friends whom I was so blessed to have found when I was slacking around polytechnic. I mean every syllable when I say that I would have never made it where I am today if not for every single one of them. They were yolk which during crucial developmental phase of life; my late teens 17-20 years young, provided and displayed the qualities and examples which showed me not only what it means to be human but what it means to be a friend. Lessons which I still make reference to today at 24.
If a man is measured by the company he keeps, then I am the very best. Cheers.
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