Friendship - How to make it last

No man is an island. In life, not one of us passed through life without having a friend. Almost all of us have at least one friend or a group of friends at some point in our lives. You might have a lot of friends or just a few close friends, but what matters most is that we were able to form a connection with others. In establishing a bond with others, does it require you to possess special skills or is there a connection to your personality?

Always bear in mind that the formation of friendship forms in various ways, even in unusual circumstances or with people you are not likely to mingle with. There are some friendships that only last for a short time while others can last for a lifetime through thick and thin.

In any relationship including friendship, are there rules you should follow? You have to bear in mind that in friendship, there are basic rules that you have to adhere to. In one study, it was discovered that there are essential rules of friendship that you have to observe – trust and disclosing issues, showing emotional support, sharing news of success, aim to make your friend happy, volunteering in times of need and standing up for your friend. We will now take a close look at these essential rules of friendship one by one.

Trust and disclosing issues

It cannot be denied that trust is important in any relationship, even in friendship. Trust opens up a conduit in your heart so that you can experience life more fully. The trust you established with your friend is difficult to gain once it is broken. Hopefully, this will not happen but if it does, some can forget while others could never forgive.

Showing emotional support

In most cases, friendship typically starts with a shared feeling or situation. In friendship, you have to support this emotional closeness and show emotional support to your friend. Usually, this can be achieved by listening to your friend genuinely, providing advice through kind words and caring gestures. It will surely help enlighten your friend that she/she has someone there for him/her.

Friends stay true to one another despite hardships in life.

Sharing news of success

Every time success comes knocking on your door, you will enjoy life more once you share it with your friends. With the simple act of sharing, it helps strengthen your faith in the richness of goodness in life while at the same time strengthening the bond with your friend. If you got lucky with a promotion in your job or won in a singing contest, your friend will eagerly listen to your story.

Aim to make your friend happy

If your friend is facing a bad phase in his/her life, you should try to make your friend happy since it also shows that you truly value him/her. Even if your friend might be too buried in his/her problems, the simple gesture of cheering him/her up will be greatly appreciated. If you are in the bad state, a true friend will always keep in touch once they knew you are in trouble.

Spending time with your friend will surely make you smile.

Volunteering in times of need

Once your friend is in need of help, always offer a helping hand. Although your friend might decline your offer, it will be greatly appreciated that you still offered to help out. Some simply say nice things to their friends, but when you actually back up your words with action, it is considered as a blessing by your friend who is in need. You have to take note that balance should be applied though. Once you start demanding a lot from your friend or if the needs are one-sided, the friendship will not last since the other party will simply feel abused.

Standing up for your friend

This rule in friendship can test the integrity of the relationship. Understandably, you will take a risk and commit yourself in protecting your friend in case someone else speaks badly behind his/her back. As a result, your friend will greatly appreciate your action and can make the bond even stronger. It simply shows that as a true friend, you are ready to stand up for him/her.

Friendship is indeed essential in our lives. With the quote, “No man is an island”, you cannot go through life alone. Aside from your family, you definitely need a friend in order to make life a lot more meaningful. With the help of the rules of friendship, it will make your relationship with your friends last throughout the years while making your life a blessed one.

As a friend, how do you show that you truly care?