My mom always told me that you realize who your real friends are when everything goes to hell. And it is hard to see that until everything, indeed, goes to hell! Well, I find myself in this situation now, as you know; and it is amazing how people emerge in you life, people who you never expected, who help you grieve, who help you deal with the heartache you go through. Sometimes your best friends emerge in these situations; they listen to you, they let you speak, but most of all, they give you advice. Let me be clear, that advice is not always what we want to hear, but it is honest, it comes from the heart and it comes from someone who truly has our best interest in mind.
I cannot even imagine where I would be today, were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy, have given me the strength to move forward. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun! One friend told me, "You will always have our support. I think you are a very strong person, and I believe there is a reason for every situation, good or bad. I am so sorry that your are having to go through this, and I cannot imagine how tough it is for you". This means so much to me, it means a lot a friend thinks I am a strong person, because it is during these times, where we need to be the strongest. Another friend told me to simply make sure I think before I do. She told me that the heart can be very deceiving at times and that we need to make sure that what we feel is the correct thing to do. She also told me that I would probably do the wrong thing anyway, because I would follow my heart, but that she would be there if I fell down again and someone needed to pick up the pieces. It is amazing what a real friend will do for you. They will stand by your side, even when they know it is going to be tough.
I think sometimes we confuse acquaintances with friends. Aristotle once said, "Wishing to be friends is quick work; but friendship is a slow ripening fruit". Friendship is built over time, not only in good times, but in bad times. We need to learn to differentiate, knowing about someone and knowing someone; I think I've already said that! But it is so important to know that. In a world of instant gratification, we tend to forget that relationships are built over time; in business and in our personal lives. When choosing friends, we need to be careful not to focus on personality, someone similar to us, but we need to focus on character. That is what speaks volumes about someone. What is that person willing to do, good or bad? The best friends always carry good character, good principles and a level grounded mind. I found a friend tonight, someone I didn't imagine. I am so lucky to have these friends, old and new; friends who support me and friends who stand by my side. Real friends are not those who nod when you nod or change when you change; those are circumstantial friends, only there when things are great or when it is favorable to them, when they can benefit from you. Friendship is the ultimate test of character, because friends will advise freely and justly, and sometimes it is not what we want to hear. If someone tells you everything you want to hear, helps you justify you thoughts, then they are nothing more than an acquaintance. Socrates told us to be safe when falling into friendship, we might just be taken advantage off. It is sad to say that, but I feel it is real. There are a lot of people out there with bad intentions. Always question one's character and one's principles. Real friends are the people who will be by your side during the hardest time, wanting nothing in return. Be there for somebody, be a friend, a true friend. You will get one in return and trust me, you'll need them.
I cannot even imagine where I would be today, were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy, have given me the strength to move forward. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun! One friend told me, "You will always have our support. I think you are a very strong person, and I believe there is a reason for every situation, good or bad. I am so sorry that your are having to go through this, and I cannot imagine how tough it is for you". This means so much to me, it means a lot a friend thinks I am a strong person, because it is during these times, where we need to be the strongest. Another friend told me to simply make sure I think before I do. She told me that the heart can be very deceiving at times and that we need to make sure that what we feel is the correct thing to do. She also told me that I would probably do the wrong thing anyway, because I would follow my heart, but that she would be there if I fell down again and someone needed to pick up the pieces. It is amazing what a real friend will do for you. They will stand by your side, even when they know it is going to be tough.
I think sometimes we confuse acquaintances with friends. Aristotle once said, "Wishing to be friends is quick work; but friendship is a slow ripening fruit". Friendship is built over time, not only in good times, but in bad times. We need to learn to differentiate, knowing about someone and knowing someone; I think I've already said that! But it is so important to know that. In a world of instant gratification, we tend to forget that relationships are built over time; in business and in our personal lives. When choosing friends, we need to be careful not to focus on personality, someone similar to us, but we need to focus on character. That is what speaks volumes about someone. What is that person willing to do, good or bad? The best friends always carry good character, good principles and a level grounded mind. I found a friend tonight, someone I didn't imagine. I am so lucky to have these friends, old and new; friends who support me and friends who stand by my side. Real friends are not those who nod when you nod or change when you change; those are circumstantial friends, only there when things are great or when it is favorable to them, when they can benefit from you. Friendship is the ultimate test of character, because friends will advise freely and justly, and sometimes it is not what we want to hear. If someone tells you everything you want to hear, helps you justify you thoughts, then they are nothing more than an acquaintance. Socrates told us to be safe when falling into friendship, we might just be taken advantage off. It is sad to say that, but I feel it is real. There are a lot of people out there with bad intentions. Always question one's character and one's principles. Real friends are the people who will be by your side during the hardest time, wanting nothing in return. Be there for somebody, be a friend, a true friend. You will get one in return and trust me, you'll need them.
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