And when I see you happy, well, it sets my heart free.
I'd like to be as good a friend to you as you are to me.
~Joni MitchellFriends are one of the greatest gifts of our lives, and they come as a result of a life that's sane and manageable. It takes time and energy to make and keep good friends, but the rewards are worth it. To these special people, we can gladly give our honesty, our fidelity, our trust, and our unconditional acceptance.
As friendship grows, we find ourselves more able to understand our friend's needs. Is there a child to be watched or a kitchen that needs cleaning? Can we listen empathetically, without judging, to whatever a friend is going through? When a friend is sick, are we ready to help out? Can we put aside our needs because a friend's need is greater at the moment than our own?
As we develop the skills it takes to be a good friend, we can let go and let our friendships develop naturally. Then we will be able to trust the bond of love between our friends and us.
I will call a friend today and let that person know how much he or she means to me.
