Making friends has always been pretty easy for me, regardless of age, language or culture. As a child, I talked to everyone, without any embarrassment. And that's still the case today, despite a little social restraint. You'll understand that today I want to talk about friendship, that essential component of our lives. It's a precious bond that connects us to each other in a very special way. Whether it's childhood friendships, friendships forged over the years or new friendships that emerge, they all offer us support, comfort and/or mutual understanding.
As human beings, we have this need to connect with other people, in addition to our family. Friendship is thus defined as a "reciprocal affection, a mutual attachment between two people“.
What are the values of friendship?
To understand how the foundations and values of friendship work, we can start by observing children playing together. Generally speaking, there are two types of personalities in a group of friends: those who lead ("command") and those who follow. It's almost impossible to find a group that's made up of the same energy: two who want to lead will end up arguing and not wanting to play together - two who want to follow won't know what to do, and will slowly end up playing on their own.
As adults, we're exactly the same, even if we've learned the social rules that prevent us from throwing a tantrum in the middle of a room if we don't get what we want. But unlike the child, the adult adds conditions, and stricter criteria. Often, because they intend to keep this friend for the long term, whereas a child generally only lives in the present.
The values often found in a friendship are: "helping each other, listening, exchanging advice, support, friendly criticism, admiration, sharing a common point or passion and, last but not least, trust". (Thanks to Wikipedia for this pertinent information!)
Some friendships aren't made to last
Of course, no one really wants to hear this, but some friendships aren't built on solid foundations. They are sometimes based on an unmet need of one of the people involved.
At some point, we've all realized that certain friends we once had, have "disappeared" from our lives. For no real reason, the friendship was no longer there. In fact, if we'd been more observant, we'd have quickly noticed that this friendship hadn't been built to last, but rather quickly put in place for a certain reason. Sometimes it's to protect us from loneliness, to help us through a difficult time, to enjoy new experiences...
In itself, this isn't a problem, since, if we're honest, we all do it. Not necessarily voluntarily, but because we have this need to be surrounded and supported. But it's good to know that, to understand how our current friendships were built.
Does true friendship exist?
I think yes, I have some friendships that have lasted for many years. But the truth is that a friendship, like any relationship, evolves. If it's built on the right foundations, with shared values, there's a good chance it will last. In general, there are some very specific points that demonstrate a deep friendship.
- Emotional support
When we have a trusted friend, we tend to turn to them for emotional support. Whether it's through advice, encouragement, a kind word of criticism, a chat ... we know we can turn to that person if we need to. Friendship offers us a safe space where we can be ourselves without fear of judgment.
- Une aide dans notre épanouissement personnel
Our friends help us discover our strengths and weaknesses, encourage us to take risks... They can open up new perspectives, push us out of our comfort zone and develop us as individuals. Their presence in our lives inspires and motivates us to achieve our goals. The moments shared with our friends create precious memories that will remain engraved in our hearts forever. They are like an invisible thread that connects us to each other, even when physical distance separates us.
- Friendship knows no age, culture or religion
In true friendship, respect for others is essential. This allows us to share and discover new perspectives, beliefs and experiences.
Friendship is much more than just a social relationship. It's a deep bond that nourishes our souls and enriches our lives. Friends are the traveling companions who walk beside us, sharing the highs and lows of our existence. They witness our triumphs and failures. Their presence gives deeper meaning to our lives. But it's important to remember that it doesn't matter how many friends we have, because one is enough to change our whole life.
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