Crossing Time Zones – Part 2/2

At some point, I wouldn’t be surprised if my friends in Thailand forget about me. Even though I knew this was unlikely, the thought made me a little sad. All the milestones in the lives of people I care about—I miss them all. So, I changed the topic.

I asked, “Do you have a dream? What’s your dream?”

She paused, then replied, “I want to reach Nirvana, like Buddha, and never be reborn again.”

I laughed when I read this, but I also felt a little sad, realising that if I were reborn, I might never meet her again if her wish came true.

“Are you that tired? You don’t even want to be reborn?” I asked.

“Yeah, seriously. I’m too lazy to be born and work this hard again.”

My friend is a pharmacist and owns a small pharmacy. Running a business is also one of my dreams. I admire and am proud of her for reaching that point, but I guess it’s not as easy or sweet as it sounds.

“Come on, stop fooling around. What’s your real dream?” I asked

“Okay, very simple,” she said. “I want to live somewhere peaceful, somewhere with delicious food available all around me. Whatever I want to eat, I can get it. And if I want to travel, I can go easily, without worries.”

“Food and travel,” I thought. Of course—our priorities in life. No wonder we’ve been friends for over 20 years.

She paused a bit, and then the dots were moving again.

“So, basically, money,” she concluded.

I reflected on what she said and realised that most people want this too. Money isn’t everything, but it’s the key that opens many doors, which may explain why people are so obsessed with it. My friend is no exception; her dream is financial security. It may not sound grand, but it gives her a clear sense of direction in life, and that’s perfectly okay. A dream doesn’t have to sound grand or meaningful; sometimes, the simplicity of a stable, comfortable life is a worthy dream in itself. Her certainty about what she wants inspires me to stay focused on my own journey.

As I put my phone down, I realised how comforting it was to reconnect with her and to know we’re both on similar paths, pursuing our own dreams. The uncertainties and responsibilities we both face seem lighter when shared. Maybe that’s what true friendship is—a constant reminder that no matter where we are or what we’re struggling with, we’re never really alone.

And for now, that was enough to let me drift back to sleep, a little more at peace.