Friendship can be one of the best things in life.
It’s also something that can be easily misunderstood, taken for granted or squandered.
For instance, in childhood, our friends are often simply preferred playmates or classmates with whom we share a bond of mutual affection.
They come and go with regularity.
As we grow, these friendships can also be a source of strength or temptation.
Our worst decisions as youth are often tied directly to the peer pressure of the circle of friends we kept at that time.
Friends will look out for us in ways that mere associates will not.
A good measure of true friendship is when we find ourselves in the company of people who don’t encourage us to do things that diminish us.
A true friend will warn us when we are in error.
And they’ll do it out of a sense of love rather than as a “gotcha” moment in which to tear us down.
They will forgive us when we sincerely apologize.
With a genuine friend, our name is safe on their lips.
When they hear gossip about us, they let it die upon reaching their ears.
They will stand up for us even when we’re not around.
When we’re down, they will gladly sit with us, in silence, so that we may know we’re not alone.
A true friendship picks up right where we left off, no matter how long it’s been.
The secret to finding such a friend is to be that kind of friend.
After all, light attracts light.
The Bond of Friendship