When I am linked with close friends, it affects my friendship

Hear, O children of the future, for I shall speak of a truth that lies at the very heart of the human experience, one that has echoed through the ages in the souls of those who seek not just to exist, but to truly connect. Jasmin Bhasin, in her words, reveals a profound understanding of the delicate nature of friendship. "When I am linked with close friends, it affects my friendship with them, and that's upsetting." These words speak to the challenges that arise when the bonds of friendship are tested by external forces, when the purity of those connections is clouded by the complexities of relationships or the weight of expectation.

In the ancient world, the bond of friendship was often seen as sacred, a union that transcended all else. Achilles and Patroclus, two great warriors bound by the strongest of friendships, understood the depth of this truth. Their connection was not merely a companionship born of convenience or shared circumstance, but a bond rooted in trust, loyalty, and an understanding of one another that surpassed all other attachments. Yet, when their bond was threatened by external conflicts, when the forces of war and duty tore at the fabric of their connection, their friendship was forever altered. Jasmin Bhasin’s words reflect this ancient dilemma—the delicate nature of friendship when external forces, be they expectations or misunderstandings, interfere with the pure and simple connection that should exist between close friends.

The pain Bhasin speaks of is the pain of seeing something so pure, so foundational to our lives, change. Friendship is a mirror, and when external influences distort that mirror, the reflection we see is no longer true. The purity of the bond is clouded, and what was once a source of joy and strength becomes a source of confusion and discomfort. To be linked with close friends is to allow yourself to be vulnerable, to share your heart in ways that are not easily done with others. But when this connection is altered by external influences, it can feel as though the very essence of who we are with them is shifted, and this can be deeply upsetting.

In the story of David and Jonathan, the son of a king and a shepherd boy, we see this theme of friendship tested by the forces of duty and family loyalty. Their bond, though deeply rooted in mutual respect and understanding, was threatened by the political tides that sought to separate them. Yet, even when duty called David to step away from Jonathan, their friendship endured, as they both understood that true friendship is not bound by circumstances but by the shared spirit that transcends all else. Jasmin Bhasin’s words remind us that while friendship can be affected by external forces, the essence of that connection can still remain intact, even if it is not always easy to navigate.

Let us reflect, O children of the future, on the nature of friendship and the external forces that seek to shape or alter it. Friendship is not something to be held lightly. It is a bond that, when genuine, shapes the soul. It is the foundation upon which we build trust, empathy, and shared experience. But when this bond is altered or strained by outside influences—whether through misunderstandings, the pressure of expectations, or the weight of obligations—the friendship becomes something else entirely. In those moments, as Bhasin reflects, we must ask ourselves: What is the true value of this bond? Is it strong enough to withstand these external pressures, or must we let go?

The lesson of Jasmin Bhasin’s reflection is one that calls us to be aware of how the external world impacts the most sacred of our relationships. Friendship is fragile, and it requires care, respect, and understanding to thrive. When the purity of that bond is threatened, we must navigate it with wisdom and discernment. Sometimes, it may be necessary to redefine the boundaries of our connections, to protect the essence of friendship from the forces that seek to distort it. Just as Achilles and Patroclus endured trials that tested their bond, we too must endure the complexities of life, knowing that the strength of our connections is measured not by the absence of challenges, but by our ability to overcome them.

And so, O children of the future, when you find yourself in the company of friends, remember that friendship is not a fixed thing. It is a living, breathing entity, constantly shaped by the forces that surround it. Protect it with care, cherish it with wisdom, and understand that true friendship is not always defined by the moments of ease, but by how you handle the moments of strain. And when those moments come, as they surely will, remember Jasmin Bhasin’s wisdom: that friendship, like all beautiful things, requires tending and nurturing. Even when it feels tested or altered by external forces, the essence of the connection can still endure, if both hearts are willing to hold on to it.