In a world filled with abundance of cruelty, where mankind strive to achieve the best he could at the cost of another man's life, where the thought of kindness and forgiveness feels irritative among the so called humans created by a creator. we all shared a bond at the beginning, when we had nothing but our humanity as our guide and most primary value. It makes you wonder, when it went wrong?
Who do I call a brother or a friend, he who put me in shackles, butchered my flesh like an animal, sold me out to the vipers like a slave. He who comforted me with songs of hope and happily ever after with gentle spat on my back, his smiles melting down my walls and making me wanna live again, but then it all came crashing down the moment I outlived my usefulness, the truth came gushing out like mountain smoke. He was a friend in need for a moment but never a friend indeed. I was told of tales by women and men from different generations, giving an account of the cruelty they have witnessed. They spoke of the hardships till their saliva runs out, what is the point of living? if there isn't a moment of peace, A memorable act of kindness and a shoulder to cry on.
I have wandered around different corners of the earth, with each turn I have witnessed different types of men, the experience hardened my heart, for a moment I gave up on humans because I thought all hope was lost. the act of wickedness of man kind, grew stronger by the day like burning flames of a volcanic ash In hurry to rob the earth of everything dear.
I live my life based on principles to guide my way as I navigate through cruelest valleys of life. These principles were not gained from reading books but more of my experience in life. Among all the principles I have set to live by, the most prominent of it all is "Living without expectations". One of the most dubious beings on earth are humans, our ability to inflict pain on one another is as potent as our ability to spread kindness. In order protect my mind from the effect of consistent disappointment, I created principle of no expectations.
One of the most natural thing expected of every human is to be kind to one another but is strange how this natural trait is missing in most humans. I have experienced some things from fellow humans and it makes wonder if thier are truly humans? Being kind to one another is one of the ways to ensure our survive on earth but not everyone believes it.
Speaking of an unexpected act of kindness, I definitely have a lot to say about this but lets keep it simple. During my pursuit of Higher national diploma in mass communication at Moshood Abiola polytechnic, as a student I was the kind of person with vast knowledge in research methodology, I commercialised on this skill and advertised my skill on WhatsApp platforms of different departments, I got good feedback especially from student in my department.
I offered to help freely but they were also others who could not afford the whole amount I charge for the research project service I offer, by being considerate of their financial status, I came up with discount and installment payment which varies depending on the persons budget. all this just to ease their financial burden. As a result of this I gained a lot of attention compared to others that also offer the same service because I was generous with helping others regardless of payment and I was extremely supportive in orde to ensure every student successfully complete their project. but there was a particular guy that did not have enough to pay for my project service but I offered to help him for free, as a result of this we became friends to the extent I even invited him to hive.
Due to the rate at which I supported him with my services, it got to a time when I was in need of a printer to print some materials, unexpectedly he borrowed me his printer without asking for anything in return, he also allowed me to use is printer for business purposes without asking for a penny. As if that was not enough when i went back to school for my clearance. he gave me the key to his apartment since I no longer have a rented apartment in Abeokuta. he said I could use it till I feel like leaving. If I'm to measure it, the help he rendered me is far greater than what I did for him but it might not have happened if I did not support him when he was in need but still I never expected such a favour from him.
Speaking of expected kindness, Like i said earlier, I offered free research service to a lot of people. Well, when one decides to pay me back with kindness, I also have another friend who decided to pay me back with mischief. We knew each other from HND 1 second semester, we both run the same kind of business within the school premises which involves form application, online payments e.t.c due to this we grew closer, I didn't oppose the friendship because I felt like we could be of use to each other and from the looks of it he started the business in school before I did, I kind of wanted us to be friends than become competitors.
We became close over time since my own business involves writing of script and broadcast related practical and assignment, he seeks assistance a lot from me whenever he needs it. I never charged him for it but little did I know that after he gets the scripts written by me, he will duplicate it and sell it to other broadcast group, which is like selling my ideas without my consent. I found out but I never confronted him about it.
He kept on with his mischievous attitude but I kept giving him a pass, until After our second semester examination, we started working on our final year research project, the process involves picking three topics of your choosing and submitting to our supervisor for approval. This so called friend of mine brought some of his female friends to me for project topics, since he knew I have more experience with research project than he does and I also render research project services to people, I gave topics to his friends for free hoping that when they get their project topics approved they will come back and patronise my research project business, but I was wrong.
Since he knew that he doesn't render research project services, after his female friends I gave topics got their topics approved, instead of bringing them back to me, this friend of mine went out of the school premises to look for another person rendering project services, he handed over them to the man and collected commission from the man, I found out about this but I refused to ask him about it because I believed he has the right to take his customers to wherever he pleases.
How did it affect your relationship? Well, the funny aspect of it is that I'm no longer friends with both of them, time have a way of pulling people apart but for the kind one the kind of relationship we had he knows he can always reach out to me for anything. For the dubious one, I ensured I cut him of totally not because of what he this but eventually did something else that made me put a stop to our friendship. I guess some relationships are never meant to be and moreover I learnt a great lesson about managing my expectations in people.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled "unexpected places and people" in hive learners community.
Cover image - 𝖣𝖾𝗌𝗂𝗀𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗏𝖺
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