What does being a friend really mean? Does it mean you go shopping together? Does it mean you text throughout the day? Does it mean you laugh about the same things? Does it mean you enjoy their company? I think it can, but for me, I think it should mean a great deal more.
To me, and perhaps I’m not alone, friendship is sacred. It’s a relationship you have with someone you trust to share your joys, sorrows and worries with and with whom you can truly open up and be yourself without judgment or criticism.
But.
There’s always a but, isn’t there? But, what if your idea of friendship is different than that of your friend? Does it change the level of friendship you allow yourself to have with that person? Does it change what you choose to share with that person? Is your friendship with that person adding a layer of care, concern and love that satisfies your friend’s concept of friendship, but not your own? Is that really friendship then? Is there really a definition of friendship?
Are there times in our lives in which our preconceived thoughts and ideas about friendship change? I enjoy going shopping with friends or having coffee and chatting about this or that just like the rest of you, don’t get me wrong. I agree, that’s a layer of the friendship relationship, but I also think that for friends to really be friends, there is a gifting of yourself, your time, your thoughtfulness, your appreciation, without being asked to do so. It should be a want on your part to contribute willingly to the relationship for the betterment of the friendship. Would you agree?
I’m curious to know your thoughts and ideas about friendship. I so treasure having a “comment” in my inbox from you, so please feel free to send me a note. I hope that you will look at your friendships today and this month, and perhaps give them an extra glance.
I very much agree Stephani. I have many "friends", but some are closer than others and our relationships are on different levels. I don't share everything with ANY one of my friends. I share the most with my husband, but he doesn't even know EVERYTHING. I guess God is really the only "friend" I actually have that knows all. But my husband is very close in knowing that much about me. I share different parts of me with different friends. I think we share the parts of ourselves with certain people based on what information we trust them to respect. Friendships are also give and take relationships. If one is always taking and the other is always giving it isn't a true friendship.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great day! And just so you know, I consider you to be my friend. :)
Ginger, This is so true that we share different parts of us with different friends. I love what you said about us sharing parts of ourselves based on what we trust them to respect. I know that's what we do, but hadn't really put it into words.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting. And, I just so you know, I consider you to be my friend, TOO! :)
This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately. As a pre-married woman, my girlfriends were my other half per se. When I got married, I moved to a city and I didn't have any real friends. But I was married and happily had Hubs as my one and only friend. It is only recently that I've begun to realize that, while I love him with all of me, he *cannot* be a girlfriend. There is something different and special about girlfriends. And so I've begun to explore what it means to be a friend now -- with the neverending tugs of marriage, family, community/church responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I'm popping over from Ginger's blog ... I've loved reading your posts -- REALLY! Just fabulous!
Laura, I so appreciate your comment and hope that you can find a balance and friendship that you so desire. Girlfriends fill a very special place in a woman's heart and we deserve to have those people in our lives who too, have the neverending tugs of marriage, family, community/church responsibilities. Just the fact that you are willing to explore it, says how much you will value those friendships. Thanks for visiting and I hope to read your posts as well. Blogging friends are friends too!
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