growing up, growing old

A few nights ago, I realized that I am actually witnessing friendships dissolve right in front of my eyes. I decided right then and there that I would just accept things as they are and not do anything about it. It would have been easy if I'm not (or wasn't) a part of those relationships but I am (or was). I won't deny that it was a bit painful. Years of friendships now seem to be gone just like that. "But hey," I reasoned to myself, "why cling to something that is not there anymore?" I didn't want to hold on to something that I can't reach; that's much more difficult than accepting how things are now.

This drifting-apart-from-friend(s) is nothing new to me. It has happened to me several times in the past. The difference though is that before, I would really exert an effort to address the issue; I would confront whoever is involved with how I feel and what I have been observing. I would do everything that I can to salvage the relationship before things get worse. Now, I've decided to not do anything about it at all, well maybe except for ponder about it some more and discuss my decision with other people who are not involved.

So why did I decide to just accept things as they and consequently, lose some relationships? I guess it's because I know that there are other things that also need my attention, time and energy, much more than this issue or whatever it is. And as an ever logical and objective friend told me, it's a part of growing up. I'm in a different environment as they are so it's more difficult to relate to them. His words were comforting but yeah, that friend of mine is in the world of banking, I'm in medicine and yet we still connect. Maybe it's not just about being in different worlds; maybe it's also about finding a new world and leaving the world that we all used to share. I know that I am growing up and growing old and I don't fight it but instead welcome it with hope and optimism. Growing up, like many other things isn't inherently negative; it's how you look at it and what you make it.

So now I'm moving on with life, busying myself with things and being productive.

By the way, I found out recently that I could bond with people I've talked with the first time over some cocktails or bottles of beer. Yeah, much like the stereotyped male. Or maybe it also had something to do with the people for we all knew why we were together and we're sure that we have more or less similar minds.