A Culture Ka-Bob is a reader submission or guest entry. This post is penned by Bill Minkel IV on May 12, 2011.
_____________________________________________________________________________
As you go through your life, you will encounter dozens of people. Some of these people will share common interests, similar thought processes, or neither of these, but for some reason you are drawn to each other. These people will become your friends. Time together is the sand sifter that will filter out the lesser of these people, whether it’s because they’re not who you thought they were (or vice versa), or because the connection just isn’t strong. (Maybe they bother you, they smell, or they have a weird laugh, or they just overall suck…) For whatever reason, you find yourself with a stronger connection to certain people than others. These people will become your best friends. You will enjoy your time with this person for a long time.
But one day, for one reason or another, your best friend will change. Maybe she’ll move across town, make other friends, and not be as close to you as before. Or maybe he’ll make a personal life choice that you have no business opposing, but you do anyway. Maybe your common interests will completely diminish. Something will change. At some point, however brief, you will not want to be their friend anymore. Hold on to your fond memories of the past, and of who this person used to be, but don’t hold it against the person for changing. You’ve changed too. Maybe you’ve taken up a time consuming hobby, or maybe you’ve entered into a relationship (which may fall into the former category), or maybe you’ve just become entirely too judgmental of what other people like/want/do.
The point is: everyone changes. Don’t be too sad, though; at the core, they’re the same person you’ve always known and loved. Look deeply into who your friend is as a person. Read her blog. Sit down with him and have a ridiculously mature conversation about an immature subject (or vice versa) on a caffeine induced high. Forget that you don’t talk as much anymore, or that you don’t eat the same kind of food anymore, or that you thought you lacked common interests; just have fun with them without thinking about it. You’ll realize that if they really were a true friend, they still are. Some bonds cannot be broken, even if their elasticity is tested. -- IV
Bill Minkel IV is a recent high school graduate preparing for a raucous adventure at college in South Florida. His girlfriend has red hair and he drives a large truck, enjoys NASCAR, and wears BatMan shirts regularly. He drinks his coffee black and does not currently own a smartphone. He is a reoccurring Culture on a Stick contributor, you may remember his first post in January 2010: Guest Entry - BILL MINKEL IV.
