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Some of us boast that we have many friends but in reality those are acquaintances and there is a big difference. Ever wonder why we can count on one hand how many real friends we have? We have fewer real friends because people are just lazy.

There are people out there who use you for their own benefit and only call you when they need something that would like to be considered your friends but they aren't really. You can find a stranger with the same qualities if you have something to offer them. And we all know a few of those moochers like that. It's more like a business relationship than a friendship. You know the one, he or she asks how your family is doing while adding, "By the way, can you give me a ride to work?" But when the tables turn and you need something, that same "friend" is nowhere to be found.

A real friend invests more into you, genuinely cares about your life and how you feel. It doesn't have anything at all to do with how much time you have on your hands because the busiest of people can still be the best friends in the world. A true friend is willing to go that extra mile for you, to stay longer than expected, to prioritize you into their busy schedule or give you unconditional love without question. And they are very rare because it's not everyone that wants to prioritize someone else's life into their own or be bothered with someone else's problems or issues.

The real friend doesn't care what you own or don't own. They are invested in you and the only thing they want to gain is your happiness. They want you to succeed and help you in doing so. They are your defenders, your secret keepers and a part of your family.

A real friendship takes a lot of work because it's a relationship, just like any other. There are secrets involved, personal conversations, trust issues, love and many feelings that grow stronger with every difficulty you both encounter. It's like a marriage in many ways but you can have more than one real friend.

There are many people in this world with this kind of spirit and strength. If you can trust this person with your very life and the lives of your family, he or she is your real friend. Anything less is an acquaintance, which can grow into a real friendship but it has to develop and that takes time. It's the ones that sacrifice for you and expect nothing in return that should get a special place in your life. Quality vs quantity certainly applies here. You don't need many friends, only a few real ones.

Learn more about this author, Rosana Modugno.
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