“Money does not change people, it only unlocks their true potential.” I came across this statement many years ago, and for some reason, it still rings a bell that I can remember it very well. Perhaps, it's arguably true. The reflection of that statement however shows a reality where money reveals the unknown about the person(s) we might think we know.
Looking through today's society, and the testimonies of many, you will agree to a high level of percentage that the implication of the statement is quite seen in several cases and scenarios. People have come out to say; or perhaps in whispers, of how the people they think they knew became something else when their social status got elevated.
Now, it isn't just about money alone. Many have become unavailable, unrecognisable and unbelievable at the taste of power. This has great potential as well to draw the narrative about people's change in attitude towards their close ones. It takes a strong person to resist the influences; negative influences that could come with wielding power.
One of the most painful things one could feel is when a friend with whom you went through hard times together, upon rising to a rank in life and society seems to develop an amnesia for you. Or even if they recognised you, the will and desire to relate as you used to isn't there again. There's this faint hesitation (yes, because it's not usually made clearly visible) to be that friend again.
Not to conclude though, people in such ranks could perhaps be just very busy. However, for an old vital friend, a time can be created. The journey of life has led and joined me with many valuable persons; instrumental people who have been a blessing to me. I look amongst my friends and I can't really find one who I'll say has given me the “we're on the same level again” treatment. Maybe because I don't have a bunch of friends, or we're still finding our way in life.
The ones I could relate with in this sense seem to be those who are friends from a distance, not people I had a close connection with. And to be honest, it didn't really hit me hard, since we didn't have that deep history or connection. Nonetheless, it's never okay to have such an experience. It could make one feel less of themselves, but thankfully, it's something I learnt not to let it get to me.
Well, there are people I've had to “part” ways with. Whether from my part or theirs, we parted ways somehow. I realised that as we continue in this journey of life, we all have somewhere we're heading to. And for some of those persons, we had to part ways, or I had to go my way rather because I discovered we weren't really going towards the same direction.
I think is safe to say we just parted ways, and not cut off from them. I still communicate with them, and see them from time to time physically. We talk, laugh and enjoy the moment, but beyond that into the journey of life, we remain away from each other, in our lanes and directions. It wasn't about a change in social status that prompted that, but a desire to succeed in this journey of life.
Images are mine.