friend·ship [ frénd shìp ]
- relationship between friends: a relationship between two or more people who are friends
- mutually friendly feelings: the mutual feelings of trust and affection and the behavior that typify relationships between friends
- friendly relations: a relationship between people, organizations, or countries that is characterized by mutual assistance, approval, and support
Synonyms: companionship, amity, comradeship, closeness, familiarity
When you think of friendship what comes to mind? Someone that is there for you, to listen, laugh with and hang out with? Perhaps...
What do you need to be a friend? Be Real!!! Connect with people whose friendship you value and see as sustainable long-term. Good friendships don't arise from hoping someone else's popularity or networks will rub off on you. Rather, a good friendship comes about by being with people who connect with you at level and get the person you really are. If you're trying to be friends with a person just to be accepted into a certain clique, or because you'd like to get to know someone else that he or she knows, that's not friendship – it's opportunism – and eventually you'll regret the shallow nature of your involvement. Every new person you meet has the right to be accepted (or not) on his or her own merits, so it's better to just be yourself than to let anyone else influence you into being someone you are not. In turn, you have a responsibility to fill their life with good memories and happy moments. Bear in mind it's better to be detested for who you are, than to be liked for who you aren't and good friendships withstand differences of opinion or outlooks anyway.
Be Loyal!!! Real friends don't gossip about friends. If your friend tells you something in confidence, keep that confidence and don't talk about it to anyone else. It's what you'd expect in return and so be tight lipped about the matter. Don't discuss your friend behind their back and don't spread rumors about the confidences they've imparted to you. Rule out gossip or backstabbing when it comes to friendship! Never say anything about your friend that you would not be prepared to repeat to their face.
Be Respectful!!! Good friends respect one another and show this by being openly and mutually supportive. If your friend has certain values and beliefs that don't align with your own, respect their choices and be open to listening about them. Don't mock or belittle what they believe in; instead, be understanding and try to keep learning. Over time, the differences will make both of you stronger and better people as well as stronger friends.
When I think of friendship and someone that has been by my side for years and years, I think of my good friend Tina. You all know her as "Tantalizing Tina." She writes for Simply Delicious Lingerie in the Q&A Fashionista column. https://simplydeliciouslingerie.com/blog/category/qa-fashionista
Tina and I met years ago when we worked at a company where we learned what true customer service was. We experienced first hand how to determine the good from the bad (people.) Regardless of what kind of person walked through the doors, what their appearance was, or their status, Tina respected each and every one of them as she would herself and her loved ones. Tina is someone that is there for you day or night regardless whether you ask for help or not. She has been and will always be that shoulder for you to cry on, that one person that would take your call no matter what time it was, and she would give you the shirt off her own back to see that you were warm and she would leave you with a smile.
I've watch her 3 children grow into such fine young adults. Through the process of being a single mother and a hard worker to make ends meet and to give her kids everything that they needed to succeed and turn into the fine young adults that they are, she nurtured and gave them love. While most people will tell you that it costs a fortune to raise children, and yes, that is true, the values and morals that Tina has instilled in her children were FREE! Love is the only gift that is free. There is no amount of money that can by this sort of happiness. This comes from within and has no price tag. What makes Tina, Tina? It's a combination of love, respect and a whole lot of spunk! While most people say that it is difficult to raise a family, especially as a single mother, like Tina and I were/are, you do what you do because when we had our children we, just like all of you, took the "mother oath" to be the best that we could be come rain or shine.
Now, you may think that your hard work will never be repaid. Guess what? Love isn't about being paid back, it is unconditional, just as is a wonderful friendship. Although I have many, many friends through out the USA and abroad, I know that Tina will be always be there for me whether we talk everyday or once a month. True friendship is not determined by what you do. That old saying when bad times roll in, most will run out...a real genuine friend will be by your side to say "Let's get this party started and fix this mess!"
When you take on the role of a mother or a friend, you are making a statement. Only you can determine what kind of friend you truly are. When you need something such as advice or just someone to talk to, Tina is a friend to hundreds and hundreds of people. Next time you go digging through your closet and can't find something to wear, your partner plans a last minute weekend rendezvous and you haven't lost that last 10 lbs yet, you are going to the beach and your dryer shrunk your swimwear, you need to hide dimples on your tush, or that belly that still is a reminder of that little bundle of joy that you had a short time ago, or you are flipping through our website at http://www.simplydeliciouslingerie.com/ and you need to find that "perfect" piece, call on Tantalizing Tina for some assistance. Tina is my lifesaver, let her be yours when you need fashionista help!
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