Friendship: A Cornerstone of Human Happiness
What is Friendship?
“Friendship is a deep and meaningful connection between individuals (classmate, colleague, or neighbour) based on mutual respect, trust, support, and understanding. A true friend is someone who stands by you in good times and bad, who accepts you for who you are, and who genuinely cares about your well-being. A true friend is loyal, trustworthy, supportive, and offers both honesty and kindness.”- A.Sharma.
Friends are crucial for emotional support, companionship, and decision-making. It’s a bond built on trust, mutual respect, and support. Friendships originate from significant events like shared interests, hobbies, or goals.
“Never leave a friend behind. Friends are all we have to get us through this life, and they are the only things from this world that we could hope to see in the next.” Dean Koontz
WHO IS A FRIEND?
A friend is someone with whom you share a bond. Friends are people you trust, support, share ideas with, and enjoy being around.
Also, a friend is someone who loves, respects, regards you with affection, and cares about your well-being. Some friends may be casual; you may talk sometimes and enjoy each other’s company, but the connection may not be strong.
Let us dive into the world of friendship in celebration of ‘International Friendship Day’!
An example of genuine friendship can be found in the Bible between David and Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20:14-17. They had genuine love for each other, even though there was a huge gap between their social classes. Jonathan loved David as his friend, and David also reciprocated this love with all his heart. In the time of Jonathan and David, it was rare for commoners to be friends with a prince, but Jonathan never belittled David. He always rated David highly for his intelligence, bravery, and kindness.
When Jonathan’s father, Saul, wanted David dead, Jonathan helped David escape successfully, an act that saved David’s life and assured the fulfilment of God’s plan for David. David, after becoming king, did not forget his friend either; he spared Jonathan’s life even though it was against the tradition to spare the life of the former king’s lineage. Jonathan and David are ideal instances of two people who stayed by one another through thick and thin, even when the odds appeared to be stacked against them.
Like David and Jonathan, the key element of friendship is that it is voluntary—a person chooses their friends, and their friends choose them. Friendships are formed through mutual attraction and affection, rather than being coerced or imposed.
Importance of Friendship
Friendships are essential for personal development and well-being. They provide a sense of belonging and social connectedness, which can be crucial during stress or trauma. Friendships can help stave off the negative effects of stress and contribute to well-being through emotional support and advice.
In addition, Friends positively influence our personal development by modelling behaviours that we can adapt for ourselves. This helps us develop social skills like emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and giving and receiving feedback. Friends can provide helpful counsel to reframe negative behaviours or validate the positive ones, boosting self-esteem and encouraging resilience and self-awareness.
Scientifically, friendships have been linked to improved mental health outcomes, such as lower rates of depression and anxiety, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, lower cortisol levels, and a longer life expectancy. Additionally, friendships lead to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction.
How to build strong friendships:
Be open; always try to communicate your feelings in the best way possible. Be subtle in agreement and disagreement. As a friend, you have to be transparent and exhibit a trustworthy personality. Being empathetic is also very important for creating strong bonds. Have an understanding heart, and don’t be quick to judge your friends and acquaintances. Spend quality time with the people you share bonds with. Share your dreams and ideas, and support each other in times of comfort and difficulty.
Overall, friendships play a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging and well-being. Furthermore, the ultimate goal of friendship is to assist and care for each other. Let’s learn to keep good friends who will love us genuinely, contribute to our welfare, and also be ready to defend us in any situation because good friendship lasts longer than material things.
READ: Amy Carmichael: The Life & Work of A blessed Missionary
Content Credit| Igbakuma Rita Doom
Picture Credit | https://pixabay.com/images/search/friendship/
https://www.countryliving.com/life/inspirational-stories/g32019340/bible-verses-about-friendship/
