February 12, 2021
There is a common adage among especially Sierra Leoneans that ‘’ mortal man quick for change’’, meaning that human beings can change easily and within a very short time.
I do append my signature to the above, having lived on planet earth for a couple of decades and studied human beings, especially the average Sierra Leonean closely.
I have had countless encounters with close friends from school days to college and even family circles of people they once were close to, but completely abandoned them because they thought they were now ‘’better off ‘’ than their once very close friends, colleagues and classmates.
A case in point could be friends who travel overseas. It is common to hear countless complaints from close friends and even relatives saying:
“I have not having received a single phone call from my intimate friends ever since they travelled abroad…” You have heard this over and again.
One could hear bitter stories of friends and relatives who once provided shelter, pocket money and other basics to friends when they were here together but cut off communication completely once they touched USA, England, Germany or some other parts of the world.
Every level headed person knows that things are not as rosy as they used to be overseas, but refusing to pick calls from numbers from Africa, thinking that the person has nothing to discuss with you but to beg for money is a bad idea. Not all of us in Africa are beggars, although I am not disputing the fact that a very high percentage put people under so much pressure, feeling that you pick dollars and pounds from trees.
Nevertheless, my advice to my brother JC’s-just coming from the diaspora, “please be courteous and diplomatic in handling the different categories of callers.” Be truthful, explain your situation to those close enough and when necessary. Tell them about the current trend of uncertainties in the job market, the bills to pay and so on.
This to me I believe is more polite than blocking numbers, refusing to pick calls, changing ten different numbers every month and so on… especially to delink from close friends and relatives who helped pave the way for what you were and what you are currently.
Remember: Don’t bite the hands that once fed you. Be polite and sincere with them because nothing lasts forever.
There is the other set of friends who think that because they are now more educated, more affluent, financially stable, carry big official titles and driving big cars, they are by all standards better off than their once close friends and associates.
Stories of ‘’ I cannot see you am busy’’ ‘’ I am in a meeting call me later’’ is no strange story around. The same man who instructs his secretary to tell you he is in a meeting, will receive ten other people in the very office, whilst you have spent over two hours waiting to see him. Director Sir, CEO, Manager, Nothing lasts forever.
The job world is so volatile and unpredictable that anything can happen at any time. “I don’t see visitors’’ “ I don’t pick strange calls’’, bla bla bla.
My brother a time will soon come, when you will think your cell phone is not working or maybe has gone off because for a whole day you will not receive a single call. The big title would have left you, official vehicle withdrawn, asked to vacate official quarters, fake friends disappeared. Nobody will bother you any longer, because to them you are like trash. My brother and sister, do not let position climb your head, treat people nicely because Nothing Lasts Forever.
You are now so busy, can no longer talk to or see people that danced for you, voted for you, got beaten and humiliated because of you. BRAVO Big Guy! You are now very very busy, forgetting that a cabinet reshuffle or an election can send you packing to go home and raise your children. My brother, one day when POWER or POSITION would have left you, you will be home feeling uncomfortable to even stroll to Aberdeen beach or reach PZ. Nothing Lasts Forever.
Even when you don’t have anything to give to somebody, for Gods sake be human for a few seconds, talk nicely to former school mates, friends, colleagues, college mates and so on especially those who helped you or were very close to you when nobody knew or cared to know if you exist. Be Humble.
Most of you that are so puffed up, fail to realize that it is not you that people respect, but the official title bestowed upon you: Director, Honorable, Mr Minister, Manager Sir , Coordinator, Supervisor and so on. The day they strip you off those titles, the only thing that attracts respect to you, is how well you spoke to people, cared, interacted with them, humbled yourself when you were up there.
There are chains of stories of people who once thought they were indispensible now living in one small corner of Freetown or village ashamed to show their face. My brother, Treat People Nicely- NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.
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@ Abdul Banya Braima
Freelance Writer.
