What does it mean to be a friend?

We all have friends.  In your opinion, what actions, skills, and frame of mind are required to be a friend?  Do you think you are a good friend? If you didn't know yourself and just met, would you like who you are and want to be your own friend?

I've always been curious as to how people make new friends and how they pick others to be their friends…..

Just some food for thought!

Re: What does it mean to be a friend?

Sometimes you can just tell at first glance…;-)

Re: What does it mean to be a friend?

Being a friend means you know what you must do for the other person even without them asking when they need help. Also it means not being afraid to ask for help if needed and the other person doesn't know. It means being honest, sharing the good times and bad, being aware of each others needs, likes, dislikes, and challenges. Calling someone just to say hello and asking how are you? When a friend ask how are you, they are the one you give your honest answers to. Everyone else, you just smile and say.I'm great reguardless of how you really are doing. Making new friends means being open minded and friendly, taking a chance by going the extra mile to do something for someone you don't know.

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Friendship matters a lot to me! I want to listen to the friend's joys and sorrows without needing to say my words, if that is what is called for in the moment; you know, being present, being open & kind.

I appreciate the time and love given to me and I want to return it fully.
I love giving surprise gifts, adore receiving them too… the exchanges my friends and I make are often quite simple… a movie, a book, time & tea, but always treated as something special, a treasure.

I still have a beautiful boquet of flowers sent to me over a year ago, by friends on Z/Gaia…. I dried them & now they sit on a table near me. This is friendship…

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A friend is someone who only wants good for you, is not competing with you, brings out the best in you, helps you discover who you are, someone who fully trusts you with their life.

Re: What does it mean to be a friend?

That's nice Jeannie. Here are some famous quotes by others on friendship.

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.” ~ Bernard Meltzer.

“A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway.”
~ Fr. Jerome Cummings

“Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.” ~ Elbert Hubbard

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” ~ Walter Winchell

Re: What does it mean to be a friend?

Many years ago I was with a circle of friends talking about what  it means to be a friend. 

As I recall, my response was similar to those Fast Dart just listed- the ol' know ya and love ya anyway.

The one that really stuck with me though, and what has become more of what I feel these days is this:

A friend is like the sun. They  help you grow, provide light when it's dark and warmth when it's cold.

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Yestrday I did an interview with a 6 year old little boy and when I asked him what he thought being a friends was his reply was…

“sombody you can like even when you’re mad at them, sombody who buys ice cream cuz he knows you like it, sombody you can tell stuff to that you can’t tell mom.”

I guess that’s a pretty accurate statement as well!

I love working with kids!!!!!!

Re: What does it mean to be a friend?

Good question. I think being a friend means you can love another person without conditions.  I also see friendship as a gift where you can stretch beyond yourself and your own quirks to focus on loving someone else.  To learn to give and receive without holding back. 

I agree with the post about being honest too.  It takes effort to be honest and real.  But people are craving for realness so much. 

I also think real deep friendship has God at the center.  The knowing that there's something much bigger that gives us love - so we in turn can give it to others.

Blessings to all,
Sr Andrea
www.CentersofLight.org

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This is an intriguing question that goes far beyond friendship.  Do I like who I am?  Would I want to make friends with someone like me?

I have a book on the life of Groucho Marx, my favourite comedian of all time. He was offered membership to an exclusive Mens Club but declined saying he couldn't possibly join a club that would accept him as a member.

I liken friendship to the line in “What a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong (you can listen to it on my profile page, just highlight and click on it in the music player) which says… “Friends shaking hands saying How do you do? They're really saying 'I love you'…”

To be friend is to love someone by demonstration, that you would neither think or need to say, I love you, to.

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Being a friend is understanding something about a person that very few others do, maybe even that person.  It is seeing what is possible about a person, not just what is.  I am fortunate enough to have people like this in my life, who see deep into my being.  Something may happen in my life that surprises me, I may discover something about myself that I did not previously know, but it does not surprise them.  They knew it was there the whole time.

I think finding a good friend is like falling in love.  You either have it or you don't in the beginning, but as the relationship continues, you must consciously work to improve it.  Fortunately the work pays off because being a good friend comes with the benefit of having a good friend.

I dunno, maybe I am overcomplicating this. Maybe a friend is just someone willing to give you another chance, and then another, and they don't keep track of the other.

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Being a friend  is being loyal enough to stick around for the good times and the bad times. A friend is supportive even when they don't understand the other's feelings. A shoulder to lean on in laughter or sadness. They are always there to remind you that some body cares.

The best kinda ship on the ocean of life is a FRIENDSHIP! LOL
 
(friendship is alot like falling in love :P )

I am blessed to have so many good ones.

<3,
Ashley

Re: What does it mean to be a friend?

If I were to give the word friend a name it would be Ashley….  :-)

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A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

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Re: What does it mean to be a friend?

So many fantastic answers here I have little to add, just that I am very grateful for my own friends for more reasons than I could possibly list.

Love,

Nicole

Re: What does it mean to be a friend?

i think there is no criteria how to pick or rather decide who is going to be your friend because if there is one then; its no longer a friendship. A friendship should be just purely an act of the moment, you just knew it… and you “clicked”!