By Bamidele Ademola-Olateju
The quickest way to lose your own dignity is by trying to strip someone else of theirs. We have all seen it on Facebook: a friendship hits the rocks, and suddenly, the “receipts” start flying across the timeline. But here is a hard truth we must remember; how you treat a former friend tells us everything about your character and nothing about theirs.
In our culture, we value the Omoluwabi spirit. We value the person who understands that even when a bridge is burned, you don’t have to poison the water underneath. When you feel the urge to vent or expose a friend on social media, consider these four things:
1. Favors are gifts, not ammunition. Reeling out the help you gave, the money lent, the doors opened, or the meals shared, instantly turns your past kindness into a transaction. If you only did it so you could hold it over their head later, it was not an act of love; it was an investment in future drama.
2. A “Vault” should not have a shelf life. Confidence is not a subscription that expires when the friendship does. Using someone’s secrets as a weapon is a betrayal of the person you used to be. If you can’t be trusted with a former friend’s past, why should a current friend trust you with their future?
3. The internet is a playground, not a courtroom. The people commenting, the aprokos, or egging you on are not your jury; they are just spectators looking for entertainment. When the dust settles, they won’t remember what your friend did, they will only remember that you are the type of person who go low when things go wrong.
4. Class is quiet; insecurity is loud. There is a profound power in moving on in silence. You don’t owe the public an explanation for why you are no longer close to someone. Your peace of mind is worth much more than the fleeting satisfaction of a “shady” post.
The next time you are tempted to hit “Post”in a moment of anger, ask yourself; does this reveal my strength, or just my hurt? Close the chapter, keep the secrets, and walk away with your head held high. As our elders say, silence is the best answer for a fool, but it is also the best protection for your own reputation. I have said my own. 🌟💫🎉👏💪
