I had not seen my best friend for almost 30 years. When I saw him again, this time at a hotel lobby, he was looking very ordinary. He wore simple Ankara attire. I felt touched. He walked up to me and I was glad to see him again. But deep within me I was not impressed with his status compared to mine and poor me, I could not hide it. We exchanged contact details and I could see the joy in him as he collected mine.
I told him I will drop him home in my brand-new Range Rover and I pointed it out to him proudly. He declined and said he had already called for his car. It looked pretty old, a 2001 Honda Accord. I invited him the next day for lunch at my house. A part of me wanted to impress him and show off my success and affluence to him.
He drove to Parkview where I lived. He looked impressed with my home. I had taken a heavy mortgage. In fact, I was heavily in debt. We had lunch. He told me he was into small business and particularly real estate. I brought up more business discussions, but he did not sound too interested. I asked him how I could help him. He said he was fine. I even told him if he was interested, I could help him secure some loans. He looked at me and smiled. He told me he would invite me over soon to his place. His old car came for him. I was grateful to God for what I had. “Fingers are not all equal”, I thought to myself. I was lucky. I worked in a good place.
Two weeks later, we went to see him in Ikeja, my wife and I. She was reluctant to come with me because she was not impressed with the man’s status. I was able to convince her that we were close friends in college. We saw the Estate. It was named as ‘Wuraola Estate’. We asked for directions to his home. Those leading us spoke his name with respect.
It was a simple but lovely home. A 4-bedroom bungalow. I saw 4 cars parked in front. We entered his home. It was simply elegant with a touch of class inside. He welcomed us warmly. Lunch was well served. His wife called him Baba Wuraola. During lunch, he asked about my Managing Director. He said they were friends. I saw a company gift on one of his tables nearby. That company owned about 38% shares where I worked. I enquired from him about it. He smiled. He told me he owned the company. He also owned the estate.
I did not know when I called him Sir, I was in awe of him too. That day, I had learnt a lesson in humility. A big one. Appearances are deceptive. He noticed my discomfort. Driving back home, I was very quiet. My wife was humbled and extremely calm. I then looked at myself thoroughly for the first time. Living on loans, heavy loans and showing off while someone who pays my salary is quite modest and living a simple life. What if I was grateful for everything that was given to me and I would not judge people according to the clothes they wear or which vehicle they are using. Successful People always have Silence & Smile on their Lips.
Nothing is permanent in this life…money ..beauty..health..all we should do is to be grateful and humble..and comparing ourselves to others is unsuccessful because we only know what appears to us..the real life of others is something known only by God..
Great post Kamal..keep writing ⚘⚘
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes Sohair completely agree with you and your valuable feedback. Nothing and not even us is permanent everything is a passing show. Thanks so much 😊😊 😊😊 😊😊 😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Welcome ⚘
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great story! So much I would like to say. Alot may not make sense. I would say material things are not important, but I like material things. They are important but not at the same time. And it is important not to be atached to them. I even at times like impressing people, but I also like moving pass that and being humble. I guess I like the balance that came through in the story. It was beautiful conveyed alot. Peace and Blessings
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Craig for your valuable feedback. Who would not like material things but why judge people on those lines and the story said that in a very beautiful way and showed what it is to be humble even with having so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Inspite of all the success, one should never forget humility. A very profound message Kamal.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes absolutely true, Radhika and that is what so nicely the story was all about. Thanks so much dear.
LikeLike
Beautiful story with such meaningful Message. Noting is same in life but what remains Same is the attitude and the nature towards people. Richness lies in our gratitude.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes for sure, Tanvir and one needs to be always grateful for what one has been given in life. Why judge anyone and for what. We need to be completely happy. Thanks so much dear for your valuable words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you to you too for sharing impactful stories and wish it makes a difference in the life’s of many.
LikeLike
Welcome dear Tanvir and yes these stories are so inspiring and profound for all of us. Hope we all could learn from them how to be humble and humane with everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good lesson for us all. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Marta for sure. We need to never judge anyone no matter what. Thanks dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A person’s behaviour speaks his character and that is the permanent wealth that remains till the end!
Wonderful message through simple small story!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes Deeksha and this story was so true in itself. It showed us what humbleness is and material things are of no great use and does not give us any pleasure than joy and happiness. Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
some wonderful wise lessons Kamal
live humbly within our means
be grateful for what we have
and NEVER judge by the superficial 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes so true, Kate. This story said all this in such a profound and beautiful way. Thanks so much for your valuable words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very great story, I am happy about reading it. This story says about reality. Today’s world people judging like this only. What dress I am wearing not depends on my money and not for showing off it is my wish, many can’t understand it. Thanks for sharing it❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes absolutely true, Meenakshi and who is anyone to judge us by what clothes we wear or what we own. This story showed us what humbleness was from such a rich man who was yet simple and successful. Thanks so much for your valuable feedback.
LikeLike
I told the story and showed your this comment to my daughter. She feels happy about your words. Only courageous mind can think like this as also in the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree with you, Meenakshi and you know it is so nice to show these inspiring stories to our children, we all need to open their minds towards humbleness and kindness and gratefulness so that they will know what life is and how we all need to live in this life of goodness and not be at enmity with our fellowbeings. Thanks so much and you Meenakshi you must always show her the stories that I keep on my blog.
LikeLike
Sure, I am doing. Many times we talk about posts shared in blogs. And thank you for your valuable words
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so nice to hear Meenakshi. Our children are our future and it is so nice to inculcate them with good values. Welcome always dear.
LikeLike
A wonderful story and reminders to be humble and grateful. Our character is more important than what we own.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes absolutely true and agree totally with your words, Brad. A story that had so much humbleness and rich yet simple. Thanks so much for your kind words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful message indeed! A truth that we own nothing… just be humble and happy 👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Shefali I completely agree with your valuable words. Nothing is needed but to be humble and kind and happy. Thank you so much dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this post, the message is a well needed welcome reminder about appearances, pride and arrogance. It seems like those with the least feel the most pressure to portray that they have more, even when drowning in debt…while those who have a lot don’t really feel as much pressure to prove anything. It’s very sad, and social media adds fuel to that pressure for many, even though much of it isn’t a reflection of real life. 🔆🙏💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great virtues brought out, Kamal…very profound narration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Indira for your valuable words.
LikeLike
This is a wonderfully woven story of humility, overflowing with valuable life lesson. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Yonnie I completely agree with your valuable words. This story had so much humbleness and showed us that material things are not everything in life. Thanks so much dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are certainly welcome. Yes, indeed. Your comment captured the story beautifully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much dear Yonnie. Have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are certainly welcome 😊🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊😊😊😊😊🙏🙏🙏🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
what a beautiful lesson on humility, Kamal. great story… thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes I completely agree with you, Lola and these stories are such great eye openers. Thanks so much.
LikeLike
Beautiful share
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks 👌👌👌👌👌👌
LikeLike
A very meaningful story, Kamal.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much dear Robbie.😊😊🙏🙏🙏🙏
LikeLike
So many lessons to learn in life…. great story
LikeLike
Yes absolutely true and agree totally with your words Denise. These stories show us values of life. Thanks so much for your kind words
LikeLike
A great read, appearances are deceptive indeed. I really liked how the inner emotions of showing off and feeling pity in the other friend were so nicely portrayed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much dear Harsh for your valuable feedback. Yes and so nicely and superbly the story moved and the friend was left flabbergasted. Simple yet profound.😊😊😊😊
LikeLike
I love this story! There are so many important life lessons strewn in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes absolutely true, Pragal and these inspiring lessons are so profound for all of us. Thanks so much dear for your kind words.
LikeLike
So true. Successful people have nothing to prove. Wonderful story Kamal.
LikeLike
Yes Michele they have nothing to prove but smile at people who do not know who they are. So much humbleness he showed. Thanks so much for your valuable feedback.
LikeLike
Thank you for the great story, my dear friend Kamal – In how many ways and directions we have got to learn humbleness – not to compare us in any way with others, with the motive to be better… Our mind islike a thousand headed cobra – once you have discovered where you make mistakes, you soon come to the conclusion: one head could not bite you anymore – and new heads are growing. Tis all is a kind of self analysis which can help us to understand all the ricks of our mind – however, this is a process that takes our whole life and pride, eager, anger, ego, attachment and so on, are getting finer and finder – so also our consciousness has to become finer and finer to fully understand the tricks of ou rmind. For this, life gives us lessons and when we make the best use of those lessions we can overcome more and more shortcomings in us. Pride can not only appear regarding materialstic things, but also on our knowledge that we have acquired, or a title etc. – it ends always in the fact that we want appreciation by others, that we want to be better than others, that we want to be amired by others etc… So it is important to become a real human being and not to be a puppet of our mind…. honesty against ourselves, spareless critism against our our own behaviour can contribute to it to have a good start to become a real human being…. but still there are huge mountains in front of us and still much is needed to reach this goal….
Thank you very much, my dear friend Kamal 🙂
All that is good for you and your family
Love and light
Didi
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your insightful thoughts of humbleness and compassion, Didi. I agree totally with your words. Life is always there giving us inspiring lessons at every stage. It is how we r taking it. This story showed us how with lots of richness one can be simple and humble. Thanks once again. Love and light to you too dear.🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome, my dear Kamal 🙂
Hugs and love
Didi
LikeLike
Thank you so much always dear Didi. Hugs and love to you too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
😊😊😊😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with all the comments. We work so hard to put ourselves ahead of where we were when we were young, only to find we are not as far “ahead” as we thought. Beautiful story.
LikeLike
Yes I completely agree with your profound feedback, Claudia. To be rich and yet be humble is the key to being successful. Thanks so much dear.
LikeLike
❤️❤️
LikeLike
😊😊😊😊😊
LikeLike
Message heard, Kamal. Well done!! xo
LikeLike
Thanks dear Amy. Love and hugs to you dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful story on humility Kamal.
LikeLike
Yes absolutely true and these stories show us how to be humane and humble towards one another. Thanks so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Komal, another fabulous story. As the saying goes don’t judge a book by its cover.
Yesterday I saw an Instagram post, with Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg and it said not a Gucci belt insight… interesting!
Great post as always
Regards bella
LikeLike
True and there r many rich people who r so humble and give whatever they can but sometimes no one will ever come to know what they r giving. This story showed us so subtly how to remain simple and kind. Thanks once again for your kind words
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome. I always think richness in character is the richness of life! And to judge on the person clothes, home, or our perception of thier money status is a reflection of our lack of understanding and humanity.
Great post loved it
LikeLike
Yes completely Bella who we to judge anyone by their looks or material things. It is our lack of understanding and usually a person who has seen money from birth knows it’s value
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the best lessons my dad ever taught us was the power in humility. He always told us that humility costs nothing but show off costs a lot.
LikeLike
Yes absolutely true and agree totally with your dad’s words. Ego let’s us down but a humble person is always the best. Thanks so much 😊😊😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person