For a long time, I thought I knew the difference between people who genuinely cared about me and people who were simply around because of what I could offer. But sometimes, you don't really see people's intentions until circumstances change.
So in regards to
@indiaunited/indiaunited-new-contest-and-last-3b7d7911bd6c2
I couldn't help but remember an experience I had around 2024 or so. That was the year I cashed out heavily on crypto airdrop, and strangely enough, it was also the year I learned to pay closer attention to people's intentions.
I had a friend who rarely called or texted me. I can literally say I was the one doing the checkup. Infact it was a one way friendship. Sometimes if I decide not to call we could go a long time without speaking, infact I later became used to it. But the moment she heard that I made good money from the airdrop, everything changed.
She started calling me every single day and even began to visit regularly. Then I asked myself " Would she still be calling me everyday if she hadn't heard about the money ?".
I didn't need anyone to tell me what was going on. I knew the answer already. I could feel the difference.
It wasn't love that brought her closer. It was the possibility of benefiting from me. And honestly, that realization hurts.
Then I thought about someone else. She had been there long before the airdrop.
There was a time when I didn't even have a comfortable place to lay my head. I had very little to offer anyone, and I wasn't in a position to return favors. She didn't ask what I could do for her.
She accommodated me when I needed somewhere to stay. She didn't make me feel like a burden or remind me that she was helping me. She even helped connect me to a job when I needed one.
There was no sudden change in her behavior because of money. She had been there when I had nothing.
That contrast stayed with me.
One person became closer when I had something to give, the other had already been close when I had nothing to give.
And that taught me something I don't think I'll ever forget.
Sometimes, we think the people who constantly check on us are the ones who care the most. But sometimes, we need to look beyond how often someone calls and pay attention to why they are calling.
Real care isn't always loud.
"Sometimes it's the person who gives you a place to sleep when you have nowhere to go."
"Sometimes it's the person who helps you find your feet without expecting something in return."
Sometimes it's the person who stays when there is nothing to gain.
The crypto money eventually became just another chapter in my life. But the lesson stayed.
I became more careful about confusing attention with affection.
Because when I had money, I discovered who wanted a piece of what I had.
But when I had nothing, I had already discovered who genuinely cared about me.
And honestly, that was worth far more than the money I made from the airdrop.
