WHAT MAKES FRIENDSHIP

 

 

                                                    Those one cares about

                                                       Trust without doubt

                                                       Carry warm feelings

                                                       Make easy dealings

                                                       Always there to listen

                                                       When times are needed

                                                    To share private thoughts

                                                          For solace sought

                                                     Or enjoy pleasant times

                                                     For interesting diversions

                                                  That can become excursions

                                                       To enjoyable places

     There are so many synonyms for friends such as a pal, buddy, companion, acquaintance, comrade, ally, associate, colleague, supporter and helper.  If one prefaces the word true for each of the above synonyms, then the attribute of true adds an element of authenticity in a friendship.  It seems that true friendship constitutes an unconditional acceptance of another person.   This acceptance is lasting and enduring and regardless of intermittent or occasional disagreements there is a bonding of trust and faith with another that allows the friendship to endure   If the moral fabric of either friend is destroyed or lost, there is a strong possibility or even a probability that the friendship will deteriorate.  This situation is serious if both friends have always had similar moral values.  So, once the moral or ethical values are broken by either one the perception of respect for another person’s integrity can vanish.

    This explanation now offers an opportunity to become self reflective and to examine the kind of personality we have.  It is quite evident that in our advanced years we have become creatures of habits and carry some baggage from past experience that tends to influence our perceptions of other people and how we see the world.  It seems that we have ways of thinking, outlooks, thoughts, opinions, points of view, mind sets, attitudes and convictions that contributed to what we have become as a person.

    The question now is how well do we get along with each other?  How well do we make a conscious effort to be compassionate, accepting, empathic, understanding, sympathetic and patient with one another?  How well can we learn to be more comfortable and friendly?  It’s important to understand that learning is a powerful tool in life.  Unfortunately, the older we get the more of a challenge it is to learn, particularly at the rate we did when we were younger.  When we allow ourselves to be truly introspective, we can learn to understand how we can relate as a friend.  Undoubtedly,   it takes commitment, motivation and patience.

 

We aren’t given friendships.

We earn them!