Friends and the Art of Friendship

The last couple of months I have been pondering friendship. In pondering friendship, I’ve thought a lot about my friends.

In just about 6.5 months from now, I will have had a friendship of 60 years. 60. Years. My entire lifetime. I also have friendships of 50 years, 40, 30, 20, probably 10, 5, and 1.

As I thought about these friendships, I wondered about their commonality. Of course, I am the common denominator…but other than that. What is it about my friendships makes them last? I’m not saying that I’ve never lost any friendships. Oh I have and I am positive I will lose more…especially in the world and time we are living in.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking that it boils down to several factors. These are in no particular order.

1. Respect
2. Honesty
3. Compassion
4. Empathy
5. Faith
6. Supportive
7. Love
8. Kindness
9. No score keeping
10. Integrity

I truly think these are the things that my friends bring to our friendship and I do all I can do to bring these things to our friendship as well.

I am truly blessed with the friendships I have! My people are the absolute best! I know that I can pick up the phone to call or text them with anything at any time and they are there for me. Not just with words, but with actions.

I hope you will stop and think about your friendships and friends. What do they bring to your life? What do you bring to their life? Is the friendship true or is it one sided? If it is true, treasure it! If it is one sided, you might need to have a conversation with your friend. True friends can have an open and honest conversations. If your friend balks at this conversation or after the conversation they don’t respect your boundaries, you need to reevaluate the friendship. Chances are, it is a friendship of convenience for your friend. Been there, distanced myself from that.

A true friend is a treasure! I hope you have at least one!

Peace and Blessings!

lp