It best to leave some friendships behind.

Deep Fried Calamari Rings 

Location :Scaled Restaurant, 8 Hamilton Road

Singapore 209179 

At this stage in my life where the number of years left are far less than the number of years I have lived, I can say that to be truly emancipated, I need to let go of certain friendships, and relationships. While its good to have a circle of friends, the true friends are those that stand up and be counted when the chips are down for me and you. Hence, we must be mindful of these people and discard the ones who are just :

a) good time drinking buddies or mates (some even from school)

b) mutual interest friends

c) relatives (yes)

It is a revelation to me that after so many years, I can be cognizant of who are my true friends and those who are just best left to meet once in a blue moon, maybe never again. An example is this : lets say I write up an article and I want some honest reviews for my 22 year 'baby', say my business . I send out a simple request with a link to friends and family. It only takes 5 to maximum 10 minutes of their time to fill up a simple questionnaire and review it. No money is transacted or requested, just some time and an honest review.

Some friends respond practically immediately. I am so thankful for these mates. Some say yes and do it a day or two later. Some receive the the simple request and say "yes". Some receive it and don't bother.

I would like to address the last group, the list of friends who receive the requests and don't bother helping in the slightest way - by filling up a simple 5 minute review. These people know me, my company, the products and services we provide very well over these years. 

Seabass Pate with Sourdough Bread, Caramalised Onions 

Location : Scaled Restaurant, 8 Hamilton Road. 

Singapore 209179

The reality of it all is that some friends are just 'free loaders'. They just want the nice free meals and time companionship without any of the responsibility (if any) or accountability. If the responsibility is just 5 minutes of their time, and they can't even fulfil that, when we have come and met multiple times, perhaps its better to relook into the semantics of that friendship and perhaps back off. These are what I would call, the 'entertainers', the people who make me 'feel like I am part of a bigger group' of like minded people. BUT they are fake. And I do know my fair share of fake friends. Thankfully I have sifted through my friends list and have been a lot more discerning. 

They have 0 interest in your well being or your person. Why do I even bother to meet with them let alone do things with them ? Of course you will accuse me of being selfish, and only taking the approach by assessing "What can you do for me" first - hence we can be friends. It should be ideally a pure connection, that when the time comes (good AND bad) we stand up for each other - though no one is counting the number of times it happens, right ?  

 Sweet Cheeks Biscotti Chocolate Ice Cream 

147 Tyrwhitt Road

Singapore 207561

So, the bottom line for me is this. I am my own man. I have family, relatives, friends, acquaintences and associates - and then some. There will be people who don't like me, envy me, say bad thigngs behind my back. There are those who if not for monetary gain, wouldnt drop in on FB, Linked In, Whatsapp and say 'hello' to me. There are those 'freeloaders' who if not for a free meal, wouldn't help me in any way.

Its time I said "Bye Bye " to these Useless Deadbeats. The list is pretty long. .I am fortunate that the true friends list is just as long, so it equals up. 

Seize the Day - and with people who mean something to me - now and always.