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Dearest Darling friends,
"In the End, we will
remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our
friends." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
 These words had shaken me up when I had read
them the first time. The stark brutal honesty of this statement can
only come from the heart of someone who has been let down and
wounded. It can emerge only out of the pains of someone who has done
enough, stood by his friends, guided them and yet when it was time
for him to get support (for genuine reasons)...there was an empty
street.
The statements that we hear in such
situations are..."I understand your situation but....". "I would
have loved to help you but, you know, 'that' relationship is also
important to us". "I truly wish you have the inner strength to face
this situation. In prayers I am with you but....". "I will have to
balance both sides you know...". "Please do not pull me in your
misunderstandings...".
Some would even profess help, never ever
to be seen again with you, voluntarily.
Some would make consistent promises,
create hope but never deliver.
Some would act angry, say juicy sound
bites about those who have done bad to you and become turncoats
before they have left your sight.
Some would instigate both sides bringing
out the nastiest side of people and worsening the situation.
In an attempt to make you weaker and to
serve their personal interests, some would run a campaign against
you without knowing even the 'T' of truth.
A friend of mine, Vandana, who runs an
NGO named 'The Banyan' in Chennai, had once gifted me a card saying,
"The surest way to clear a street is to shout for help. Yet, you
helped...Thanks" I had just advanced a small loan yet I felt so much
gratitude in that letter. I decided that day, every time any one
genuinely needs my help, it will be available!
My uncle had once
remarked, "It is the rats who are among the first to flee from a
sinking ship. Never behave like a RAT!"
Vandana, my uncle, Martin Luther King Jr
made me develop an attitude to stand by my friends when they are in
difficulties. They made me realise the meaning of 'Friendship'. When
things are going great guns, we will have a crowd with us. However,
when things are challenging we will have only 'true' friends who
will stand next to us.
The words of others are
expected, we are prepared for it. What we can never be prepared for
is the silence of our friends. That baffles us. Why? Why?
Why? 'Even when I am right, why are you not with me' is the cry that
emerges from deep within. Why are you silent? How can my friend be
so selfish? Whom to trust again? These questions torment us.
The onslaught of others never
breaks the spirit, the silence of the friend does.
There would be times when your friend,
your spouse, your relative, your neighbour, your classmate were
being victimised...what did you do then? Stand by the good, support
them and make it strong or leave it alone to fend for itself?
 Were you a 'good friend' or a 'good
times friend'?
Standing by my friends in times of need
has contributed more to my life than theirs. It has given me amazing
inner strength. I never wanted to see myself as a 'Rat' (with due
apologies to Mickey Mouse. Even he would not have run away from
friends when they needed him). It made me believe 'I am good'. This
gave me courage. This gave me self-respect.
If you ever have an opportunity to stand
by the 'good', be counted. Lets make the 'good' stronger.
Your family needs you as an example of
this. Our country needs enough examples of this. Humanity needs
enough examples of this. Lets unleash 'forces of goodness' and make
this world, our country and our family as a strong force.
You can count on me and our organisation
for this.
That's our promise to you.
With love, prayers and best wishes,
naren
As I live...I learn
na...@lifeschool.co.in
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www.lifeschool.co.in
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