I firmly believe that the measurement of success in life is the numbers of friends you create rather than the amount of money you have in your bank account, as more friends and good friendship makes you happier. I do not deny the importance of money in one’s life but beyond a limit money stops to provide happiness, rather sometimes it invites troubles and creates sense of insecurity.
We all have heard the famous story of King Midas, who was very rich as he had the power to converting anything into gold by just touching it. But at the end of the story, he prefers to lead a normal life with friends and family. In our own tradition we have seen the importance of friendship as Shri Krishna readily sacrificed the swarga loka and Prithvi loka to Sudama, his friends out of affection.
In both the instances King Midas and Shri Krishna valued friendship more than wealth. Hence it is rightly said that “A true friend doesn't care if you are rich or poor,”. On the same lines, we have seen that friends have sacrificed their wealth for friendship but the vice versa is not true. Though in the recent times we also hear about some such instances, those are standalone instances and cannot be considered as a social norm.
Happiness earned from money fades away fast, but the time spent with friends remains in our memory for long. Whenever we remember these moments it is bound to bring a smile in our face for which everyone craves. Friends can give us love, moral support and care, which truly money can never buy.
It is said that “a friend in need is a friend indeed”. More friends if unite they can earn lot of money, but money cannot buy true friends. If at all some people get attracted to other looking at the wealth, those are fake friends, not the real ones. Friends can make tea stall gathering memorable and enjoyable, which one cannot experience alone in a 5 Star Hotel.
But at the same time, money if lost can be earned back but if trust in a friendship is broken it is difficult to regain it, which means friends are more valuable than money. In real sense, by friends, I don’t mean the numbers of friends, followers, or connections you have in social media, Which the rich people can buy. Instead, I mean true friends with whom you can share your heart full without any guilt or shame. So let us not be too much materialistic and value our friendship.
About the Author
Preetish Sharma, is a Research Scholar in Political Science, Department of Political Science & Public Administration, Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar, Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha