by Brooke Hart

Created on: April 22, 2008

The concept of friendship is one that is overrated by the idea of what it means to be a friend and have a friend. This is mis-guided by a series of cultural issues, as well as thoughts on what one would consider as a friendship. Understanding the signs of when a friend is not a friend can help you to get out of the relationships that are stopping you from achieving your purpose and working towards those that will enhance you.

There is one major factor to consider between different types of relationships and friendships. Respect. This one concept is the word that will enhance or destroy what it means to be a friend. Finding the signs of what it means to respect another person as a human being and with their vision, as well as creating an environment with the relationship between the two individuals that will support the interactions between the two individuals all starts with this basic foundation.

A GOOD FRIEND

If you are looking for respect with a good friend, there are various characteristics that will show whether they have your best interests in mind. The main part of this is their capacity to enhance you as an individual, no matter what the situation or circumstance is. For example, if you walk up to them and tell them that you want to be a musician, they will support this concept and find ways to give you moral support through talking to you or helping you find outlets to get you in the game.

This concept of respect and support doesn't just take place by interacting with an individual on a career level. A true friend is one that will take this quality and move it into any area of life. This includes understanding emotions, relationships, family and opinions. At the same time, this type of person will be honest in revealing the truth about situations in which you entrust them with.

TOXIC FRIENDS

At the other end of the spectrum with this philosophy are the friends that can not enhance who you are and who do not show the respect that is needed. These individuals are ones that are not true in their intent to be in your life and have placed their own interests above your own. While this may sometimes not seem to be obvious, you can look for signs that come with speech as well as actions from the other individual.

The main characteristic to look for with a toxic friend is in the way that they interact with you and your lifestyle. If they don't seem supportive, pass judgment on what you are trying to do and have overly negative reactions to what you are trying to do, it is best to stray away. This is a thin balance between being honest with a person about their best interests or saying and doing things to harm them.

Take for instance if you have a concept that you want to develop for the community. A true friend will help you to enhance that, but will analyze and criticize the areas in which it won't work. A toxic friend who doesn't have your best interests in mind, will most likely respond by telling you that you are stupid and the concept is one that should not be developed. They may also be the type to avoid the entire situation and take you out for a drink.

If there is an individual that you are interacting with that doesn't have your best interests in mind, is not there to enhance your life and does not care about your individuality, you can consider them a toxic friend. Looking for signs of respect as well as support in the interactions with the individual will provide you with the correct friendship system to enhance.

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