By Azanis Shahila
There are many valuable things in life, but friendship may be one of the most important things to us. To survive, life without the experiences of friendship is a life without dwelling. Some people value friendship more than the most expensive things in the world. Therefore, we need true friends in life. I know most of us have so many acquaintances in life, but do you believe they are true friends?
If you are having a difficulty determining whether or not your friend is a true friend, the likelihood is that your relationship is already on the sways. We may have several dozens of friends, but true friends are something far rarer, and far more rewarding. They are also not easy to spot. Here, I would like to share some ways to decide if your friend is really a true friend:
1- They are present.
A true friend will always make time for you. If they cannot find the time to hang out or talk on the phone, then why are they even your friend? If your friend never makes time for you, always complains about how life has been “crazy busy,” that will not count as friends. A true friend will be with us through laughs and tears. They would probably be there for us when we need them.
2- They listen.
Sometimes all you need is for somebody to shut up and take heed. True friends know how to establish eye contact when speaking, remember what you’ve told them, and ask thoughtful questions. A true friend is normally a good listener. You have to notice who does most of the talking. In an ideal friendship, both friends should roughly share the same amount and yet, if you feel like you are always the one listening to your friend’s problems, then you’re not receiving your fair share of friendship. Thus, have friends who are always be there to listen to your problems and be there for you when you need them.
3- They are supportive.
Everyone needs a small positive energy here and there, and true friends have it in spades. I still remember when I faced difficult time in my studies, my friends were always there for me. They helped me in my subject and we both achieved an excellent result in the exam. Remember, if your friend always dismisses your success with remarks like, “Hey, you made an A- on the test? That’s cool, I beat you with an A”, it really puts you down. In this respect, when a friend always gets jealous of your success, you just have to give her up.
4- They are not a flake.
A true friend will always be honest with you and will not easily break a promise. A true friend never leaves you stranded or forgets about a plan you’ve together created. Likewise, a true friend will always distinguish between a true from a false story, never creates a story just to impress you, or spreads rumours about others.
5- They make you happy.
This is the most obvious among all things. Have you ever been with a friend whom you do not really like and feel happy with her around? All of us want to be with a friend who constantly makes us happy and feel comfortable with him or her around. That is what makes it so important to remember about the relationship we had together with our friends.
However, always have in your mind that no friend is perfect. But those bumps are not worth to be considered as part of a good and reliable relationship. Thus, it is you who is the best person to determine who your real friends are.
I hope you will be able to determine your true friends. Step back for a moment and ask yourself if you truly believe that those people around you are dependable. Remember a friend in need is a friend indeed! ***