What Kind of a Friend Are You?

Now that we are on the subject of finding friends...

I wonder if you have asked yourselves, what kind of a friend you are? I know most of us have friends in all kinds of category: acquaintances, family, church, friends of friends, colleagues, best friends, close friends and bosom friends (in the words of Anne of Green Gables!).

I have quite a few close friends and I believe that we end up close friends after we share our lives intimately, with each other. Close friends also take sh*t from each other and best of all, close friends are honest with one another. They are not afraid to share their thoughts even though some of those thoughts may not sit well with the other (as long as this is done genuinely with love for the other).

I think I have lots of close friends because I open myself up and I try to encourage sharing rather than just having conversations. I always try to bring the relationship to the next level. You don't gain a fast friend if you are merely a friend on the surface.

Close friends also care for one another and show concern for each other but we tend to forget that relationship is a two-way street. We sometimes don't remember to reciprocate. This happens to the best of us when we are busy, stressed or withdrawn. It is not so much the giving - receiving is just as important and since it works both ways, some of us simply forget to take the proffered hand.

People who complain that they have no friends should take a long look at themselves in the mirror - this has nothing to do with the physical appearance - and ask yourselves when was the last time you took the hand that was extended to you?