I’ve always been a firm believer in the distinction between friends and acquaintances. And, though over the years I’ve qualified some into the friend category that really didn’t deserve to be there, or belong there, I’ve learned my lessons and I think I have a sincere understanding of those that cultivate my inner circle.
See, good friends don’t want things from you. Good friends don’t put stipulations on your friendship. Good friends are just there for you. Good friends help when they can, listen when they can’t and call just to genuinely see how you’re doing. Good friends add to your life. And you, if you’re a good friend, do the same for them.
Good friends are good people. And you know who are good people and who aren’t.
When you really stop to think about it, you know who your good friends are. Like they say in the song, ‘somebody’s gonna drop everything, run out and crank up there car, hit the gas to get there fast and never stop to think what’s in it for me… or it’s way to far’.
Are you a good friend?
Do you have good friends? Is there anyone you’ve categorized as a friend who is more of an acquaintance?
Can you be a better friend?
How can you be a better friend?
I think we can all work to be a better friend, and in doing so we become better friends.
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You’re absolutely right.
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Over the years I’ve had to repeatedly learn my lesson when people who I thought were good friends turned out not to be.
As I move further along with my sobriety, I’m finding that people who end up with this qualifier are sober. Is it because we’ve gone thru similar life experiences and I feel they can truly understand me? I think a little.
One coworker who I thought was a good friend shattered that for me when she introduced me to her cousin at a party like this, “This is Monica! She’s awesome. You’re going to love her, but there’s one really sad thing about her… she’s sober.”
It was her breaking my anonymity because I’m pretty well open about being an alcoholic. It was how she phrased it “there’s one sad thing about her”… Since then, I’ve watched my mouth around her because I’m not going to allow someone to label me as “sad” for overcoming the greatest obstacle in my life that I have to repeat every day.
So yeah…
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Wow. How does someone be that dense and out of touch with… reality. What an idiot. I’m sorry, I know that’s rude, but she’s a fucking idiot.
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The only thing I can chalk it up to is that she was already a few drinks in to the night and she’s a very unhappy person.
The funny thing was that her cousin’s dad had just passed away from alcoholism. So she gave me a hug and told me she’s so proud of me.
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I definitely think that we can all be better friends, but this article really got me thinking about who my good friends are. I have learned that my good friends have changed over the years. Some people who used to be good friends, are now acquaintances, and that’s okay. I used to think that just because I had known someone for several years, that they were my close friend; as I have grown, I realize that is not the truth. I’ve gone through the grief cycle of losing a friendship but it opened my eyes to be careful about who I allow into my “good friend” category. Thanks for sharing!
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That’s a good point that I think I’ve definitely gotten tripped up on in the past. Just because you know someone for a certain amount of time, doesn’t make them a good friend. Length of time known does not correlate to friendship. You’re totally right there. It’s an important distinction to make.
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Oh dear. I have been burned so often and lost my ability to trust that I tend not to have friends anymore. I like very short interactions with people and can share a lot during a brief period. But I tend not to want to risk it anymore.
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I definitely act that way with some people. I can understand where you’re coming from.
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I have been so blessed with great friends and have been a good friend — all my life. Can’t thank God enough 🙏🙏
It is one of His greatest gifts ❤️🙏
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I wholeheartedly do not know where I’d be without my good friends. And though we’ve never met in person, I’m certain there are many people in this life who feel the same way when it comes to their friendship with you.
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Thank you so much for your kind words Vee. Friendship is a quality of the heart, of the soul and doesn’t care about the distance 😊💕
God willing we shall meet one day. I would love it 🤗
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I needed this post.
Thank you💓
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Sending some love and light your direction!
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💓💓🌈🌈
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You are a good friend to me, I need ti work on being a better friend to you.
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Hey now, I think there’s no competition as far as being friends goo. I think what matters is that you’re a pretty stellar human being and a nice ray of sunshine in this crazy, crazy world. And I hope you think the same.
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Your kind words always pick me up when I’m down. I haven’t been feeling very stellar this last few days.
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Recently I have lost a lot of friends lately. I just believe I am in a different space. I no longer tolerate negativity. When you treat people how they treat you, they don’t like. I appreciate my remaining friends
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And you really do find out who your true friends are that way.
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I enjoyed reading your post!
This made me give some real thought to “what really is a true friend”
Which would I rather have—hundreds of contacts or a few genuine friends?
Even thou both have advantages, according to 1 Corinthians 16:17,18 a true friend can help you through challenges and can even encourage you to be a better person.
So we definitely want to aim for quality not quantity, be a true friend and express appreciation.
Thanks again for sharing.
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Good friends can be hard to and hard to keep. I have enjoyed reflecting on the following link. https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/g201406/what-makes-good-friend/
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