GENUINE FRIENDSHIP

Genuine friendship is a match made in heaven. It is a union that surpasses many other unions we may know of, even married people are best of friends (well some) and bonds between some people and their pets. This type of friendship seems not to exist anymore, people are taking it for granted and have lost realization of its value. I believe real friendship is a lifetime investment and worth more than an investment a banker would make. Perhaps even more than the money in your bank account.

Why do I say it is worth more? The answer is very simple, you gain more from it than any bank account can give you (no bank charges or over drafts), and it has more value than any shares you can ever invest in. In other words you gain more out of a genuine friendship than you from any mere transaction elsewhere. Look around you and ask yourself two simple questions. Are you surrounded by genuine friends? Are you a genuine friend? Many of us do not realize the value that is embedded in loyalty from a true friend.

One important thing you need to understand is that, if you do not derive some sort of positive value or added growth from your friend (through shared interests and lessons), then clearly it is not good for you. I am not talking about monetary gain or favours. I am talking about that individual who is able to help you develop a strong character that individual who against all odds is able to say beyond a shadow of doubt that you are a true friend and has your back any day. See nowadays people lie to each other just to keep a temporary feeling of excitement. Be true to your feelings about the value someone is or has in your life. Also try and establish if you make any positive difference at all in the life of someone who calls you friend.

This is not meant to create a rift between you and your buddies, but some genuine introspection can do justice to your character and personality. Remember the important question: Is there any value or character building benefit from your friendship? The ginger bread man and milk can hardly call each other friends. If one makes the other fall, surely the other only reaps to benefit nothing except to quench some other person’s desires. This concludes only that a lot of people would rejoice to see tension in any form of friendship. The downfall of the other brings joy to others. Be careful of that.

Your friendship should not be based on a list of expectations that if any one is not accomplished then it messes up the relationship. I believe true and genuine friendship should be based on mutual trust and understanding. Trust that is unquestionable when a storm arises or when critics take to their duties. Do to your friend what you would expect them to do to you or for you. A basic biblical principle should guide this notion “do unto others as you would like them do unto you”

“Genuine friendship is a match made in heaven”