MISERY LOVES COMPANY

As common as that phrase is, I strongly believe it is highly underrated. Why? I was at an event sometime back and the people I was sharing the table with were speaking their native tongue, because I did not look like someone who shares the same nativity or even understand the language, they felt free to discuss all they wanted to, meanwhile I was listening to every tiny detail even though I sat there as if I did not hear a thing (don't say I am doing 'amebo' oh, I was there so I could not take my ear somewhere else...lol). The crux of their whole talk was their friend who was at the dancing  floor 'displaying', he was a driver some years back but now owns his own transport business and controls millions of his own. They were honest to admit to each other that he still rolls with them even after he has "made it", he gives them cash and material things whenever he can but because he does not do it at the time they want and the way they want it, they do not appreciate whatever it is he does the way they ought to. Now, what caught my attention was when the oldest among them said he wished the he was a driver like him, so that they will not be treating him with 'contempt', he said "it would have been better if he remained a driver sef, we will not be treating him this way". The "topic" of the day came back to the table and the way they showered him with praises for the 'display'  almost made me scream "hypocrites and sycophants" but the Grace of God refrained me. Just like Chinese philosopher Zhuang Tzu (Zhuangzi) said "Moreover, I have heard that those who are fond of praising men to their faces are also fond of damning them behind their backs." 

When they were to leave, one offered to drive them because they obviously came in the his car but he declined. 

The lessons I took home are beyond what I can ever finish cogitating and I will leave you to deduce and take whatever you can too. But amongst all you can get, never forget that misery loves company, mediocrity demands a society to thrive in and sycophancy always seeks companions. Misery will prefer you all stay at mediocrity so that you will become sycophants at the end of the day. In all you do, never join that company.

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