.Saturday, June 18, 2005 ' 2:21 am Y
hey. i picked up something from the july's issue of 'teenage magazine'. i find it really meaningful. it's about friends and what kind of friends are there.(the quality, that is) i guess i wanna type out the whole column of it. =D
"friends are very important in life.what is important to bear in mind is that we need to be able to identify the qualities of a true friend. if you know what you are looking for in a friend, then you will probably face fewer disappointments. i warn you that if you settle for shallow, flightly, petty people, then don't expect them to stand by you when you are in need.
the first thing to do is to list the qualities you expect in a good friend. it may not be easy to identify all the important qualities. to help you, i will list some of the most important ones. these include respect, honesty and ability to really care and share, common interests, a willingness to listen, the ability to sympathise and empathise and to be there for one another in good times and especially, bad. i also highlight a willingness to make sacrifices and being prepared to stand by your friend and protect this person from the unkindness of others.
you may add more or subtract from the list, BUT immediately after you have listed the qualities you want in a friend, highlight those you possess. you must be honest with yourself. if you don't posses the qualities you deem important, how can you demand someone else to live up to your expectations?
you have now learnt one important aspect of friendship-it is a two way process. one cannot do all the taking and expect the othere to just keep giving. selfish people will, in the end, destroy even the most loving of friendships. this goes for married couples too.
some people are fair weather friends. they are there when all is well and will desert you when trouble brews. others hang out with you simply because they want something. it could be your popularity that helps them share the limelight or your wealth or position in society or even those who use your ideas and pass them off as their own. such people may lack moral fibre and may let you down because they know you know the truth and may fear you. it is ironic how often people you help tend to shy away after you have helped them. they would prefer to pretend you do not exist after a while. you may be one of those generous people who render help when it is needed and want nothing in return. being of help is its own reward. friends like these should be treasured if you come across such altrustic people.
rich people find is easier to make "friends" , but the wise among them know that many of their so-called friends are merely using them. many famous socially prominent people are often sad because deep down they know that they are surrounded by users. they'd be dumped if one day they lost their position and wealth.
true friendship is never based on externals like money, looks and position, all of which can be easily lost. true friends value qualities that are precious and don't diminish with the passing of time.don't aim to have many friends. often most of them should really be referred to as aquaintances. some people say, "i have two good friends" . wow! you are blesses if you have two good friends.
don't go for quantity; go for quality when it comes to friendship.
the most cherished gift you can have is a sincere friend. if you find such a person, treasure him or her
because a real friend is priceless."
-teenage magazine. page 41
*the phrases stated in bold means alot to me. (:
after reading this column on friendship, i think i really need to reflect myself as a friend. am i a petty one? am i a snobbish one? or am i a good and caring friend? i dunnoe. i just need to reflect on myself. or maybe ask my best bud(s). what about you? (:
