I'm in that stage in my life where a lot of my friends are beginning to differ in political affiliations from myself. We all started out believing in the "revolution" and "change" and "creating a new system". You can call it youthful exuberance. Or at least that's what it looks

like now.

We all wanted change, we were not going to be moved or enticed or neglect our cause, come what may. We all started out this way.

Then as we grew up and started having more responsibilities, we started to bend a little, you know a little here, a little there

nothing too much. Nothing that'll make us feel like we were traitors neglecting the "dream". But the older we got, the more we realized that the system is rigged, that change if it is even happening at all is happening at such a slow rate that it is so infinitesimal you couldn't

feel it. And whatever change is taking place at all, is happening so ostensibly that it doesn't pass the scratch test. So we have two options.

- Play the game.
- Complain about the game.

We all used to complain about the game. But the more you grow, the more obligations

fall on your shoulder as a human being, the more stepping up you need to do.

It is a truism that principles is a luxury in this country. You look around and see poor honest people, and very rich jiggery-pokers.

As a man. This is a tough choice. This country is owned by

rich people. You can pretty much get away with anything.

So, when it comes down to those choices. We all have very hard decisions to make. You're growing up now, more people are looking up to you, you have bigger responsibilities now, you want to start a family, so you need

funds now, a lot of it because you wear your patriachy of your sleeve. No woman of mine will suffer because I'm unable to provide.

I have a lot of very intelligent friends, great guys. They have been a shining light for me in a lot of situations. They are good folk.

Because they are intelligent, they are always in demand by the same people who we promised to "overthrow". These people have all the resources, the resources we need to get our lives properly on track. So what do you do, do you bend just a little more to be able to

afford good things for yourself and your folk? Or do you continue your crusade of change while watching everyone else do better and live better. It's a tough choice.

Not to be sanctimonious, but I look around and more and more of my friends have decided to play the game. Its getting lonelier by the day. I have always believed in my principles and I have always relieved myself with the thoughts of King James in Ecclesiastes.

"Life is vain".

But do I lose my friends? No!

As we all get older and grow to know ourselves better. Whenever you see me chilling in a bar with the same guy whose politics I oppose openly, don't assume I have left my principles behind. I'm just hanging with my friends as a friend.

Politics is quite different from friendship. We may disagree on our politics but we agree on our friendship. I understand why they chose the path the chose. I understand why any who has chosen the path before them did so.

We'll always be friends regardless. We can be adults about it. We should be adults about it and I hope everyone who sees us together understands we are just being grownups about it.

I'm not losing a friend over political affiliations.

And I wish all of them good luck. I know they have good intentions but I have seen politics change more people than more people have changed politics. But, I hope somewhere in there in their hearts, they decide that when they have the office, they will do better.

But I'm not losing you.

Good luck brothers.