What is True Friendship? Author James Lynch November 2012
Around the 1700s, George Washington stated: “True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.”
He also shared: “Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ’tis better to be alone than in bad company.”
George Washington was a US public official who knew the value of a good friend and the work involved with having the name bestowed upon an individual. Since you are reading this article, you too must place a high value on friendships. The many dictionaries give good definitions of what the word friend means. The Bible expresses beautifully “there exists a friend sticking closer than a brother.” Don’t we all desire to have such friendships?
*A good friend is there for you. It is a give and take relationship on both sides. Today, you may be down, and your friend will lift you up. Tomorrow, the roles may change and then you will reciprocate the actions given to you the day before. If you both are down, you still provide empathy for one another.
*A good friendship will bring out the best in you. He or she will tell you in a dignified manner when you are wrong, and will provide you the necessary help to be successful. There is no room for jealousy in the friendship. If there is jealousy, then you will find that you are a good friend to an individual, but that individual is not really valuing their role in the friendship with you.
* A good friendship involves genuine love and respect. You respect your friend’s time, privacy, values, and company. There are times when we have to be more understanding of our friend’s shortcomings than other times. As friendships grow, there is trust and confidence built into it. Sometimes a friend may need his or her space. Your trust, love and confidence in the friendship will move you to give the needed time or space apart. All the while knowing this person is your friend, and you will support them from afar. At times, you may still send cards or words of encouragement to let them know you care. Since this person is a good friend, you will already possess knowledge of what to do most likely in such cases.
A true friendship is a valuable possession! Do you have an abundance of them? Even if you have only a few, do not despair, one good friend can possess all the love and support needed by you than a 1000 acquaintances. Just always remember friendship is a give and take relationship that both parties should whole heartily work at for it to succeed.