by Amanda Sullivan

Created on: August 11, 2010

"No one is an island." That is something most of us have heard for years. Some people think they are better off alone, but even the people who say they don't need anyone find out that they do need someone. Many times people get hurt and that is why they decide not to have friends. Some people are just selfish. They want to do their own thing, but when they need money or a doctor they find out they're not as independent as they thought they were.

Friendship is a necessary blessing. To have a good friendship with a person you have to know how to be a friend. You have to choose your friends wisely and be a good example. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." That is another familiar yet true saying. If you want to have good friends then be a good friend.

When you were little a good friend may have been someone who shared their toys with you. Maybe it was someone who made you laugh and feel good about yourself. As we grow up, these are still good qualities for our friends to have. Friendships are give and take relationships. You have to make each other feel good. You have to be there for each other. You have to trust each other.

When you're young sometimes you think the good looking, popular person is the best friend to have. However, some of those people are not very nice. They haven't learned what friendships are really about. Friendships are more then just being around people who make you feel good. A friendship is a relationship with someone else. It takes work, but if you both try to make the friendship good then it is worth having. Friendships are more then just trying to be popular or to climb the social ladder. Friendships are about respect and giving. You have to care about someone besides yourself to have a successful friendship.

There are a lot of people that think a friendship is one-sided. They call and dump on the person and if that person complains then they are not a good friend. That is not true. It's good to have someone to listen to your problems, but are you willing to listen to another person's problems? Good friends are good listeners. You don't always have to give advice. There is a time and a place for that. A good friend is sensitive enough to know when to listen and when to give advice. If advice is not asked for, most likely you should just listen. If you don't want to listen, be caring enough to say this tactfully.

None of us are perfect. We all have our bad days. A good friend understands that. A true friend forgives. Remember that friendships do take work, but they are worth it. A true friend is priceless. A long-lasting friendship is the greatest treasure on earth.

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