Miss Sunshine

Are you a true Friend? This is a question that I’ve asked myself many times over the years about myself.

We always seem to have people that have given lip service to being a friend. But many times, I have been convinced that they are not. I have found that most people who have masqueraded as friends have shown their true colors when the chips were down. I hear people tell me all the time, I have lots of friends.Think about it this way. We are all basically selfish individuals. We usually are interested in our own self-gratification. That means our world is about me, me, me. We really don't want to do things for other people, but we sure do expect them to do things for us.

A Friend Is:

• Someone who is always ready to listen without being judgmental
• A person that can be called day or night and they respond
• A person that can offer a viewpoint opposing to mine in kindness and love
• Will stand up for you whatever the cost for them
• Show up for any awards or special accomplishments that you might have
• You hug them without inhibitions, there are no pretensions in this relationship
• you are you and they are they, you love them, they know it, they love you, you know it!
• You know you can ask them to ‘shut up’ or wake them up at midnight for that shoulder to cry on

But, is it possible that sometimes we take this loving relationship a little too casually. We forget that we are fortunate to have been gifted this beautiful relationship—FRIENDSHIP.You always have so much to talk about with your friends. It really doesn't matter what you say, it's just being together that matters. Their presence may not lessen your pain, but it gives you the courage to go on. Psychologists claim that having relatives does not increase your lifespan but having friends does."A good friend always remembers who we were and sees what we can be”

Friendship needs time to grow and strengthen. Always accept your friends as they are. Don’t expect them to change for you. Be a good listener and refrain from offering advice or moralising every time. Respect your friends’ point of view. Try to keep yourself cool when they are angry. Also, try to be with them not only when you need them but also when they need you. Most importantly, appreciate your friends.

Be a true confidant who treasures friend’s secrets in there heart. Always guide and stop them when they go astray. Don’t crib over small issues. Be understanding when your friends come up with a last minute change in plans. And if it’s you who changes the plan, learn to say sorry. Strengthen your friendship Just a few harsh words can break your friends’ heart. Your friends might not want to share everything with you. Understand their feelings. Don’t be dominating or authoritative. Never betray your friends’ trust. Never criticise or hide your friends in public. Never support your friends when they are wrong. Never lie or boast before your friends. Be there when they need you but don’t forget to respect their space. Keeping in touch…

Remember you are not being helpful—you are simply creating a parasite! Your friend is someone who doesn’t hesitate before telling you your follies and is the first one to walk side by side with you, be it sorrow or fun. As a matter of fact, as the relationship keeps on strengthening, it becomes more and more delicate as well. Let’s simply make a promise never to hurt a friend!

“Would love to dedicate this article to a very special friend of mine… J”