I believe in the power of friendship and that no man is an island. There is always a reason why and how we meet one another in different stages of our lives to form friendships. Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends for it is one of God’s best gifts to mankind. It involves many things, but above all, the power of getting out of one’s self and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in the another.
I would call myself a “popular loner.” Although many people know me and I know many people, my inner circle is small and I am usually by myself. However, if any of my friends need me either for a listening ear or my “two cents worth,’ I am always there for them. I am not an introvert but I do not like huge and loud parties. Perhaps I can call myself a ‘closet introvert’ and I do appreciate social media because it gives me the opportunity to connect with my friends from all over the world, without me being with them in real-time.
My friendships are deep and personal and I do not like being just a “surface-level friend” talking about anything and everything but nothing in particular. I have to express my gratitude to the many close friends (you know who you are!!) who had listened to me whine, complain, and let go of my frustrations in the different stages of my life. A BIG THANK YOU for blistering your ears!!
Friendship improves happiness and abates misery by doubling our joy and dividing our grief. I am proud to have kept many friends for as many years. In recent years, my circle of friends has grown but I have also let go of a few (thankfully!) toxic and narcissistic ‘frenemies.’
My ex-classmates and I get together, more often these days, as we are in this stage of our lives as “empty nesters!” We were all so busy in our younger years, raising our children and running our households. Nobody had the time to interact and socialize with one another. These days, we are happy grandparents with grown-up children. We are all looking forward to traveling and celebrating our lives with one another.
There are many reasons why some people opt not to have any friends. The main reason is that they are afraid of being hurt or disappointed by them. Friendship, like any other relationships, takes time and effort. It is a two-way street, one which involves talking to them and listening to them for hours at a time. True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in their worth and choice. Being a sincere friend means that there is nothing too big or too small for you to do to help your friend in need. There are many ups and downs in life and one cannot predict what curve ball life will throw at us. Just be there for a friend and your friend will be there for you. We need the love and encouragement of our friends to make life’s difficulties a little more bearable. After all, we are all on this journey together. Lead the life that will make you kind and friendly to everyone about you and you will be surprised at what a happy life you will lead.
Lastly, friendship has the skill and observation of the best physician, the diligence and vigilance of the best nurse, and the tenderness and patience of the best parent. To have a good friend is one of the highest achievements and delights of life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings. It involves a selfless love for the other. Love means the willing of the good of the other.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13