Help Each Other Grow.

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We all need one another and that's the truth about life. I am not talking about engagements on read cash or trying to give funds away here but I am talking about real-life issues. There are more real-life situations that would give us a better perspective to also operate better here as with the world out there.

Nobody can make it out here all alone because we would always need each other. Someone said that a man would remain the same in 5 years to come except for the possibilities of two things and they are the books he reads and the friends he keeps. The books you read will give you a better insight to learn off the life of others and not make the mistakes others made and the friends you keep would either make or mar your life.

I noticed something about most people and it has been making the rounds for a while now. I know we all have our stories as to why we do the things we do but that shouldn't rob us of our humanity. We are slowly losing the human side of things and we are beginning to see the lack of humanity as the new normal.

Isn't it funny that someone you considered as a friend would readily go and patronize others rather than patronize your business? It's not because you sell inferior quality but because of the mindset that you shouldn't patronize friends as they would not take you seriously. I used to believe that too and over time I got to know that it is not because they won't take you seriously but it's about the kind of person they are.

Haven't you patronized someone who isn't your friend before and still your order got stuck or they never treat it with the level of urgency you would expect from a business owner? Of course... Most people have and that's not because of who they are. Most people allow their lackadaisical attitude to rub off on their business.

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I would see so many people advertise their businesses on WhatsApp and if I need anything they are the first I tried to contact. I have heard and seen how most people would rather go out there and patronize others rather than those in their circle of influence. I won't say it's wrong because we all have our stories that led us to that point but I would simply say we can do better.

I don't know how hard it is to click a link too as many people make it sound so hard to do for others. I have a friend who always sends me a discord link to join for her so her invite tally can go up and I do that with no worries. I get tons of notifications, but I mute them so they won't bother me. I am one of those who help in promoting Hive on Twitter and I get paid with little Hive tokens when I get a higher number of likes. I can count on my fingers how many people respond to the link I share on my status even when I tell them what's at stake. It would only take us just 20 seconds to click, like and retweet and leave Twitter but most people would rather have you go all the way for them and yet they can't even jump a puddle for you.

I have read so many statuses complaining about how friends don't support friends and it hurts to see us get to this point. You don't even have to be my close friend to patronize you. The moment I know you to some extent if you are offering a service that I need, why not? I would gladly patronize.

I know most people have terrible experiences with patronizing those they called friends and it puts a strain on their relationship but the moment you have seen them act in a way and you have addressed it, you have a choice not to allow it again or change the terms of the agreement but never allow it stop you from helping another friend somewhere whose action has no bearing on what you just witnessed with another.

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I think I spoke about a Church member who was into drycleaning and I decided to patronize her. She always delays my clothes and when I say always, I mean always. I always get angry with her because she would come up with one excuse or the other but when I noticed that I have no bearing over her actions, I changed my attitude. I don't give her any clothing I think I might need urgently. The clothes I won't need for two weeks are the ones I would give her but I would tell her I need them in a week so at least with her delays and everything, I can get them in a week and a half.

I patronized another Church member when I was in my former state; Oyo State, Ibadan to be precise. She sells bags and accessories and anytime I needed to surprise wifey with bags and all, I would consult with her and she would deliver right on time. If there would be a delay she would give me heads up and she has never failed to deliver even at that last minute. Did I allow the last issue with another Church member to stop me from helping another friend grow? Absolutely not. Did I learn from my last friend's issues in dealing with the new ones? Absolutely. I learn to order things ahead of the time I would need them because I don't want to have any strained relationship with any of my friends.

I know some are stubborn and wouldn't take to correction and it's fine if you feel you can't overlook that but don't let it stop you from helping another person. There was this Church member too that came to me on her own to do a special Valentine package for wifey and we told me all that needed to be in there. I paid a lot of money for it and you wouldn't believe that wifey didn't get the package delivered to her at her office as I agreed with this Church member. It was when I got angry that she got it delivered at 11 pm on Valentine's Day... Imagine that. And when it was delivered, the bottle of wine wasn't there because it was broken, the sandal wasn't the right fit (I returned it to her to fix it and till date, she hasn't returned it and it's over a year now). Only the chocolate was in good condition. I knew in my heart I would never patronize her again because of her attitude but that won't stop me from helping out another friend. I am very quick to move on and I know not many people can be like that but then, that's just life.

I just patronized another friend last week to help me with a portrait of a father figure and she did it to perfection. She finished even before the time I gave her. She said 5 days and she finished this beautiful portrait in 4 days. If I had judged her based on every bad experience I had, I would have robbed her of her exposure and even the help. I believe every little bit helps. Of course, I told her I needed it in 7 days even though I would need it in 2 weeks but she still delivered before time. Here is her artwork - the one she did for me:

We should help each other grow. I know some people don't desire to grow especially with their attitude and that's fine but we can pick the lessons from there but never allow it to affect another friend or someone in your circle of influence grow.

What's your experience in patronizing a friend or someone you know? I would like to read about it in the comment section.

Thank you for your time.

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