Appreciation Post: My Tribe

This year all my close friends surprised me at my house with chocolates where they asked me to be their Valentine. And it was the cutest and sweetest thing ever. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to be blessed with the true friends that I have. Most of us has been friends ever since meeting each other at our tiny rural primary school and I guess two genuine people have been added into the tribe since high school. Actually, all of them are the most genuine and down to earth people that I have ever met. And the reason why I feel so blessed to have them in my life, is that it is so hard to find real people in today’s superficial world.

We never ever gossip about each other or stab each other in the back and although it has been a decade since we have all been friends, we never fought or had any intense arguments. I love the fact how we are all so nice and kind to each other but give tough love when one of us needs it. I love how we can talk about anything and everything without being judged and we always lift each other up to be better people. We share some similarities but we all have our own good judgements and when we see one of us is going through a difficult time or going off track in life, they are always there to guide the way by reminding each other of who they are and the potential they have or they just give the best advice.

I also love how they are never mean to anyone and are non-judgmental so we never gossip about people. They are the type of people that you can always trust, rely on and they are so helpful and caring where they give but never expect anything in return. Just being with them makes you want to be a better person.

I think that in high school some people might have thought of us as a serious group since we all really tried our best throughout school and all but I guess it was because we were and still are mature. We knew what we wanted to achieve and we helped each other to reach the goals that we had. And we still do.

However, we still have our fun, we go out or do road trips but we never needed alcohol or drugs to have fun. It’s funny how my dad always tells me that having Muslim friends are better. But with all honesty, my non-Muslim friends (who are the closest friends that I have) hold to the values of Islam better than most Muslims that I know. And that shows a lot about my friends. They don’t really need religion to have morals or be good people. They just do and they are the best people that I know. To me, they truly are angels with the purest hearts.

I must admit that these past couple of years, it has been difficult to see all of them at the same time as some have moved to different places and we all started at different universities. Sometimes we don’t talk for months. But when we do get together we always pick up from where we left off and we are still really good and close friends. And it’s great because I know that no matter what happens, they will always be there.

I really believe that the people that you surround yourself with is a reflection of who you are. So choose your friends wisely. If you are ever uncomfortable or pressured by certain people then it is best to not associate with them. Real friends are supposed to make you feel happy and better where they encourage you to do good things and never sad or down about yourself or makes you do bad things. I know that most of us has that small bit within us that wants to be popular or ‘cool’ but being fake and not staying true to yourself is not cool at all. Being real is cool. It’s hard work and tiring pretending all the time and being something you are not. Sometimes (especially in our adolescent years), we think that being popular will bring us happiness but in reality, having more friends does not mean you have good or close friends you can turn to in good or bad times. Therefore, it is so important to find your tribe of close friends that you know will always be there for you and are good for you.

I am ever so grateful for my lovely and beautiful girls that I have where I am proud to call them my friends. And I know that we will all be close friends for a really long time because as they say, if you have been friends for more than seven years, you will be friends for a lifetime. No matter what happens between us, I know for now that we have a lot of love for each other and I hope that love and friendship will always remain. Nonetheless, I pray to God that if and when I have my own daughter, she will have amazing friends like I do because I know that no matter what happens, she will be okay and will blossom into an amazing woman as well.