WHAT DOES FRIENDSHIP MEAN TO YOU?

I was philosophizing this morning about how my life has developed and how far I've come, especially this last couple of years, has life changed me, what have I learned, have I become stronger or weaker, what has changed and am I the better for it? Looking back, yes I have changed, but for the better, I've discovered a lot about me and I've realized I can be more resourceful and I'm much stronger than I first thought.

I'm not going to go into it in any detail as the past has gone and I personally don't feel dwelling on the past benefits any of us, for once it's gone, you can never get it back and life, like the Earth and the world evolves and that is how it's meant to be. Change is good it teaches us new things, prevents us from becoming stagnant and helps us grow spiritually for the better. We can choose to stay in our comfort zone forever or try too, but to do so prevents us from developing new facets to our personalities and learning about others.

It is my belief, life, the Universe, God call it what you will, change is meant and designed to help us be aware of those other than ourselves. Not only does it does it teach us about ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses and how WE resonate with others, it teaches others about themselves, through their interaction with us.

Concerning friendship, the topic of this blog, it made me aware of what true friendship is about. Many of you will realize the terms "Fair-weather Friend" and "Crocodile Tears" and if you do not let me explain what they are. A Fair-weather friend is someone who is only interested in you when things are going well for you as soon as any storms and troubles affect you they disappear. Crocodile Tears pertains to when crocodiles chew their victims the action of their chewing affects their tear ducts and makes them appear to cry when chewing, making them appear remorseful and sad at doing so, in other words, they are not true tears and they really don't give a hoot about you or what they have done.

In this last couple of years, I have really learned what constitutes and who my true friends are. True friends will stick out the storms with you and when you are going through really difficult times, they will stay around to help you out. Even if there is not much they can do, they will do their very best to empathize and share your pain and wont walk away, even if they are having storms themselves for they know in their heart, when you are able you will be there for them too. A true friend loves you unconditionally, does not foist their opinions on to you, but will genuinely understand and share your bad times as well as your good. The other thing belief I have about friendship, is no matter how awful a friend has been to you, you can forgive them if they themselves have learned and come to realize, what a fair-weather friend they have been to you. I myself can forgive anything if the perpetrator has become aware of the pain they have caused and are genuinely remorseful for it. That does not mean you have to be a doormat, far from it forgiveness is not about that. None the less some never do and all you can do to prevent harm to your own soul is to walk away from such toxic friendships, forgive them because holding on to grudges and bearing malice only hurts you in the end. Some of you may have had a situation like this as I have myself recently. Someone I thought was a very good friend alas with a heavy heart I had to disassociate myself from her. I bear no malice and forgive but until they become aware of true friendship that is how it must be.