Are You Proud of Having Me as a Friend?

This was raised due to my “kaartehan” mode. The other night, I asked a friend this question out of nothing, just merely asking. And to my surprise, he answered NO. And yes, I was pissed-off, super super pissed-off… not to him but to the idea that I am not at all likeable.

You see, all these times I thought I am a good friend, notwithstanding my being a good son and sibling (ahem, self-proclaimed!). I really think I am, but somehow, I feel I am better off as a friend. And modesty aside, I am loved by the people around me. That is why to have the NO reply from the very first friend I asked this question, that spells something wrong in me.

Let me analyze. I have 515 friends (and still increasing) in my Friendster account but basically, only 85% of these are the ones I know personally. Out of the 85%, I just don’t know how many really are my friends, in its truest definition, be it yours or mine. In the office, I am tagged as the “Friendship ng Bayan”, with me getting along with everybody so well - be it the good ones or even the bad cows. At home, I know I am loved and appreciated (even if I am the worst kiddo, most arrogant and most suplado in our neighborhood). So what’s wrong???

Probably because I am simply Ady – the strong-willed, determined, focused, outspoken and candid person that I am. Admittedly, these strong points are also my weakest ones, and these are also some attributes that put me into compromising situations. People around me knows how I am making my way to get everything I want… and they also know how I can hurt someone if things are not coming, with my tirade of fierce words and way of thinking. But these are just clear manifestations of who I am, and to a friend that should have been accepted and somehow, tolerated.

But one thing certain, a friend to me is someone I owe my being. I wouldn’t be the person that I am if not for the good companions who have molded me and shaped my understanding of life’s realities. I have my share of ups and downs, and I know these are life’s occurrences that made me learn something from, and most of these events are brought about by the friends that I have on my sides…

My most recent pain was because a special friend betrayed me but thanks, I have realized that not all good things last forever. I was enlivened because someone came along to offer me friendship and I know it’s worth it. A friend gave me the work that I have right now and to her, I am forever thankful. A friend gave me my most treasured gift last Christmas. A friend was the first person who greeted me on my 27th Birthday and most probably, she’ll also be the first on my 28th. I have two best friends who I can easily tag along on all the out-of-town trips and gigs that I’ll have. A friend is the one great love that I had… and probably, would be my greatest love ever...

See, I am a friendly person and I know I’m doing my best to save them. Not because I need them but because I know they are parts of me. So I don’t know why someone wouldn’t like me at all… I can’t figure out the why’s and the how’s… But let me tell you this… even if you’re not proud of having me as your friend, I feel the other… I am blessed to have one friend in my life who doesn’t appreciate the friendship that I am giving… and with that, I feel humbled… there are still hypocrites around… and I am one of them…

Let me end this by giving you a few good quotes forwarded to me by some good friends:

• The only people that you need in your life are the ones who prove that they need you in theirs… - forwarded by Queenie Laygo, a colleague and friend
• For every person who doesn’t like you, there are twice as many who do. So why should you care about those who don’t? You can never please everybody anyway. If you’re being true to yourself and that still isn’t enough for them, then what’s left for you to do? NOTHING! Just hope that someday, they’ll learn to see you in a different light and embrace who you really are… That’s the law of life – forwarded by Cherry, a former Accenture-Rainier Trainee

Good day everyone!!!