A good friend is a real treasure. Of all the things in life that contribute to our existence it’s our relationships that seem to make everything else worthwhile. Great friendships keep us going and add happiness to our lives. It can be easy to underestimate the value of friendship but there is no better way to lose even the closest friend if you begin taking that relationship for granted.
As with all healthy relationships, great friendships need to be nurtured and invested in. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said “The only way to have a friend is to be one”, so here are a few things that you can do to be the best kind of friend to the people closest to you.
Listen up
There are times for chatting and using all your words but there are also times when listening, and allowing your friend to speak their heart, is the call of the day. Yes you have a story to share or some news to impart but if your friend needs to off load or even just be heard the best kind of friend will know that it’s not their turn to speak.
Be there
It may not always be possible to be in the exact location that your friend is in, but when they need you, be there – even if ‘there’ is at the other end of the telephone. Making sure that you are always available for your friend, whether the need is happy or sad, is a fundamental part of a strong friendship.
Tell the truth (but be kind)
Honesty is a cornerstone to any relationship. Lies only create an environment of distrust and instability so being able to tell the truth is important. But the truth can sometimes be hard to hear so remember to be kind and choose your words wisely. Even the hardest truth can be communicated with love.
Make things better
Even when life is good, a friend can come along and add fun, sparkle and happiness. Don’t wait for a problem to arise, do something that will make your friend happy or encourage them or remind them how good it is to have a friend who thinks about them and cares.
Support, support, support
Whether the need is for a cheerleader to encourage, a loyal defender to protect or a stretcher-bearer to carry them when they don’t have enough strength to walk themselves, a good friend will be supportive in anyway necessary.
The Bible tells us that a man who has friends must be friendly and it’s important to remember that friendships are a two-way street. The best way to find the kind of friendship that you want is to be that friend to someone else. Being a truly wonderful friend to someone is worth the investment and will not only benefit them but will make your life richer too.
What do you think are the characteristics of a true friend?