"The one with all the questions..."

I recently had quite a conversation with my colleague; who emphasized that life should be lived in its moments, and not quantized by its passing seconds. Our discourse later regressed into what I perceive, an apt overview on  how our minds filter preeminence of individuals in our lives according to our conceived values of them.

"Let me ask you a series of questions, Jeff. Can you help me name the 5 wealthiest people in the world?"

Bill Gates. Warren Buffet. Steve Jobs? I'm not sure of the rest though.

"No worries. How about the 10 most recent Nobel Prize winners?"

I'm afraid I'm too ignorant an academic to venture a guess on that one. Albert Einstein?

"Neither can I. How about listing 5 Pulitzer Prize winners?"

I can't even remember the authors of journal papers I've read, lest making fun of myself making up names for Pulitzer Prize winners!

"My sentiments as well. You see, Jeff - my point is that it is hard to find anybody who remembers the headliners of yesterday. These people here; they aren't second-rate achievers. They are prominent figures, the best in their field. But eventually, the fame and applause die. Awards, they tarnish. Achievements become a figment of one's memory and is forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners."

"Now answer me this; can you name 3 friends who have helped you through a tough time in your life?"

"How about 5 people you look up to, whom have taught you something worthwhile in your life?"

"Can you name 5 people whom you enjoy their company, and those who you enjoy talking to?"

I answered these subsequent questions with much ease; there was just a lot of people to mention. I understood the gist of his story.

I've come to realize that the individuals who make a difference in your life are NOT essentially the ones with the MOST credentials, the MOST money, the MOST coveted awards. They are, in hindsight - actually the individuals who CARE about you. Shamefully, we often place these treasures a sub-par attention to that which they really deserve. We spend all our lives looking for people to accommodate our yearn for love and inspiration - without knowing that we already have them to begin with. 

In retrospect - people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

We ask God everyday in our prayers to grant us strength and perseverance to prevail over dark times, but He in prerequisite knowledge; had already blessed us with them - in the form of those individuals who always have our best thoughts and intentions in their minds.

To these individuals in my life - this post is a tribute to you. May this world be populated more with people such as yourselves, so that we can all learn the wisdom of empathy and sympathy insyaAllah.

-JeP