Friendship

Friends. What are these? Do we need them? Do they need us? Why do we bother?



So I went to the dictionary (first google search really) and found this :

Friend

–noun

1.	a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.

2.	a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.

3.	a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?

4.	a member of the same nation, party, etc.

5.	(initial capital letter) a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.

So it seems that a friend is a very relative term. It can be anything from someone who has feelings for you, to just somone who is not hostile to you.

Looking deeper, I think it is human nature to search for company. We naturally go out and look for someone who shares the same intrests, or at least accepts us. Perhaps some primal instinc to gather in packs for security? Whatever the reason, we need these relationships in order to be well with ourselves.
Well, ok I agree, we all need our alone moments, but think on this, would you want to be alone for ever? Not a single soul here on planet Earth to be with you? I'd rather not, thank you. Because, it's in the presence of others that we are happier. If you think on your happiest moment yet, you'll realize you weren't alone. So, yes, we do need friends. Friends are what holds us here.

But I have yet to define what a friend is. And the dictionary didn't do much good (as I knew it wouldn't), because it's such a relative definition. It really depends on what you are looking for.
In my point of view, there are 3 types of friends :

For myself, I consider a friend someone whom I can trust and depend on. Someone whom I can tell anything, knowing he/she/it won't tell a soul about it. Somoene who interferes on your behalf, behind your back sometimes, to look after your best interests, when you are not there to defend yourself. This, I consider a true friend. If you are lucky, you can count some of these in your circle.

Then, you have those regular friends. they are there for you, ok. But if stuff gets too hard, too tough, you'll see them vanish in a blink of an eye. You tell them something, hoping they won't share it.Despite this, they support you, help you, may lead you to the right path. Therefore, I call them just Friends. Probably the most of your circle.

Finally, the other type are those that come and go as time goes by, reappearing sometimes, disappearing the rest. And when they do come, it's just to ask something from you. You probably can count on them, they'll probably be there. But you never know. This, I simply call acquaintances.

So, all I have to say now is this. Look at yourself, without anything bloking your view, and ask yourself. What kind of friend are you to your friends? I'm hoping you are not just an acquaintance. And if you are a friend, or even a true friend, then the answer to the question 'do they need us?' is absolutly and completly obvious. Of course they do! And let me congratlate you, if you realy are one of these.

And finally, why bother? The answer is resumed to this simple sentence : 'United we are stronger'. Alone, in this world, we'll go nowhere. Fast. And when we reach that, there's no turning back. Not now. Not ever. So STOP. Think. Act. Change (if you need). Before its to late.

Cya later

Fen