Why friendship?

"If you haven't read my post on Lifeship, I recommend you to read it. Among the different types of ships on our Lifeship is Friendship. Have you ever wondered how people with different backgrounds and ideologies can enjoy each other's company or share the same interests?"

The backbone of every relationship is friendship. What then is friendship? Britannica defines it as a state of enduring affection, esteem, intimacy, and trust between two people. Although some have been hurt by friends, it can be discouraging. I have enjoyed amazing friendships with people, many have and you can but it also starts with you becoming a good friend.

Image by katemangostar (Freepik)

I see myself as someone who is not an expert, but rather as someone who is continuously learning. Here are some insights from my own experiences and from observing other people's lives that I believe are important for fostering strong and lasting friendships. Building anything in life, including friendships, requires conscious effort.

A while back, a friend shared an A-Z list of attributes for building friendships with me. At the time, I didn't see the value in it, but I now understand the importance of paying attention to things that people often overlook. Here is the list compiled by the same friend.

Acceptance: Accept your friends for who they are and embrace their unique qualities.

Belonging: Foster a sense of belonging by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for your friends.

Compassion: Show kindness and understanding towards your friends, especially during challenging times.

Dependability: Be reliable and trustworthy, someone your friends can count on.

Empathy: Develop the ability to understand and share the feelings of your friends.

Forgiveness: Practice forgiveness when conflicts arise, and be willing to move forward together.

Generosity: Be generous with your time, energy, and resources to support your friends.

Honesty: Build trust by being truthful and transparent in your communication.

Integrity: Maintain consistency in your actions and values, ensuring your friends can rely on you.

Joy: Share positivity and happiness with your friends, creating an uplifting atmosphere.

Kindness: Always treat your friends with kindness, showing them the same care and respect you'd like to receive.

Loyalty: Stand by your friends through thick and thin, offering your unwavering support.

Mutual respect: Treat each other as equals and value one another's opinions and boundaries.

Nurturing: Support each other's growth and personal development, helping your friends become the best versions of themselves.

Open-mindedness: Be open to new ideas and perspectives, and embrace your friends' diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Patience: Exercise patience and understanding, allowing space for your friends to grow and learn at their own pace.

Quality time: Spend meaningful time together, creating cherished memories and deepening your connection.

Reciprocity: Ensure your friendships are balanced, with both parties giving and receiving support.

Support: Offer encouragement and help your friends through their triumphs and challenges.

Trust: Build a strong foundation of trust by being honest, reliable, and respectful.

Understanding: Seek to understand your friends' perspectives, emotions, and experiences.

Vulnerability: Allow yourself to be vulnerable, and create a safe space for your friends to do the same.

Warmth: Create a warm and inviting atmosphere by being friendly and approachable.

eXcellence: Encourage each other to pursue personal growth and strive for excellence in your endeavors.

You-time: Respect each other's need for personal space and encourage a healthy balance of social and alone time.

Zeal: Maintain enthusiasm and passion in your friendships, keeping your bond lively and engaging.

It's never too late to be intentional about your relationships. It's important to recognize when a friend is draining versus when a friend genuinely wants the best for us.

Feel free to share the point(s) that resonates with you or other points that should have been included. Special thanks to a special friend who helped with this post.

Cheers to an intentional you.