The only way to have a friend is to be ONE
Ralph Waldo Emerson
In recent times there has been a great interest in acquiring large numbers of friends and an emphasis on "friends and friendships" that past decades may not have experienced.
The friend revolution first began in my family with the ever popular TV series FRIENDS a must see that continues to bring hours of joy and laughter to my family .
Then came Web 2.0 tools and social media and Facebook's obsession with the number of "friends" one can acquire. I wonder if these are true friends and what is a friend after all?
We find friends from social media, from work, family, neighbours, travel, shared groups, charities school and Uni, workplace friends, relatives and then friends of friends of friends. After as the expression is
" friends are just strangers you have not met yet"
" friends are just strangers you have not met yet"
I've been involved in all of these aspects of making friends and celebrating the idea and essence of friendship and all that friendship entails.
New friends are still in the process of experimenting, learning about each other, enjoying the surprises of what makes two people tick as friends and how they enjoy one another and what each one brings to the friendship is a fascinating game filled with excitement, occasional disappointments but always fun.
So wherever you meet new friends, chance encounters, work, parties, online or mutual interest groups and pastimes it is the passage of time tells us whether our friendships fullfil the true meaning of real friends.
True friends are based on selflessness, they accept differences, support strengths and weaknesses and I believe that to have even one person one considers a true friend in a lifetime is a major blessing.
New friends can become great friends in time.
It is the trust and strong bond that develops over time that can endure distance and all of life's up and downs and these do not affect the quality of the friendship at all.
A friend can walk in after years or months apart and the friendship is right there where it was in that magic relationship where either person in the bond would not think twice if one of them was in trouble or needed help they would be there. This friendship never fades but thrives on trust mutual admiration, inspiration and comfort.
I am fortunate to have a few close friends and one friend by the mere tone of the hello on the phone can say " tell me". Best friends can sense, listen and understands one's silence sometimes knowing before you do yourself what you need.
How do we nurture and acquire truly good friends and more importantly how do we spontaneously develop good friends without it being artificial. You can't make yourself into what you think others may find attractive it is fake.
Friendship is all about being honest with yourself and being You.
Friendship is all about being honest with yourself and being You.
Of course, if you are fortunate, one's children can become our best friends. There is nothing sweeter in life than to be rewarded after the nurturing and sacrifice needed in rearing children to end up with children and extended family as your close friends. Friends who enjoy your company and want to spend time with you.
So, when you meet new people enjoy all the moments of the initial spark.This is your own hint to a possible deep friendship they may develop in time. The mutual joy of contact and being together, dedication and being attentive to keeping in touch, listening, giving and sharing. The best part though is the fun, laughter and humor that all go to make lasting friendships.
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