Friendship

As a new week prepares to launch, one last look back on the lessons of the last. More than anything, it seemed to be a study of friendship. Commitment and compassion, more than convenience seemed to win my warmth, regardless of distance, drama or disability.
A quick look at the word;
Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behaviour between two or more social entities. This article focuses on the notion specific to interpersonal relationships. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in ..fs24field behaviour, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviours. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them. Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating on a consistent basis:
the tendency to desire what is best for each other.
sympathy and empathy.
honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth.
mutual understanding.
I think the ability to wrap our minds around the true meaning of friendship has been a bit warped, ironically by sites like this. Perhaps there really should only be a top4 on myspace. Or, maybe they should call it a potential friend list. However, as in all things there is a beauty in the guidelines that constitute friendship. When you keep close the ones who commit to this criteria, you are never truly alone. You will never truly be in need. You will likely never be sad for very long. And, you will always have at least a few who will rejoice to hear of your recent accomplishments and revelations.
When I was 21, a wise older friend imbued in me that it is a mistake to strain against a door of friendship that fights with you to close. We are no longer friends. But, what she said stayed with me. I didn't want to agree. But, the point that if you spread yourself too thin, you end up being a real friend to noone, and none will know you well enough to be there for you. And, if you choose to waste time on those who haven't the time or will to waste time on you, you miss the opportunity to initiate new connections with those who will. I started to get that when I turned 27 and integrated all the segregated groups of friends in my life. I think I get it more this week, to see who's stepped in to the light to lend an ear, a shoulder, an idea or even just a smile. I witnessed the importance of living in the present and not the past when it comes to friendship while watching my friend Liz battle through the emotions of a long time friendship dissolving before her eyes. I saw that "commitment" to friendship when an entire group was ready to give up their night to follow home a friend who'd been kicked out of a club, with no care for the cost of admission already paid. I saw it in a friend who saw my desire to bring the music and creativity back to my life, inviting me into his world to begin the creative process.
And, most of all I found the joy of friendship at its peak, when a far off friend heard a melancholy whisper in my words and without prompting, brought a smile back to my face and reminded me how wonderful the world can be when you hold close the ones who desire the best for you, offering sympathy, empathy, honesty, truth and mutual understanding.
Thanks again, my friend. Don't forget to take that shoreline walk at dawn. In twilight, lies the magic and answers to so many things.
Billy