Five Ways to Keep a Friendship

Five ways to keep a Friendship: By Lizzie Ducking- There is a scripture that says there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Once you have found a good friend, it is a lasting connection even if you are distances apart.

Here are five things that will make and keep a friendship:

Number one- Be a good listener, everyone has something to say and need someone who would listen objectively. Sometimes a problem can be solved just by talking it out. Sometimes we do not have to say a word just let the person talk, he will come to the conclusion on his own. I have a friend and he would talk to me about his problems, most of the time I would just listen to him. One day he realized that he had talked himself into his solution. He looked at me, smiled and said you knew what you were doing. I told him that he already had the answer it was just a matter of finding it. I did not interfere as he was talking because I did not want my opinion to confuse him. Beside, my opinion might not have been right for him so I kept silent.

Number two- Keep confidence, a friendship can end quickly if we expose his business to others that he has confided in us. It is a breach of trust and he may never again trust us. If what he has confided is harmful to him talk to him about it or ask him to seek help about the situation but do not go behind his back to get the help for him. Let him make that decision but assure him that you care about him and will be there for him. Be persistent in encouraging him to get help especially if it is a life or death situation.

Number three- Put him ahead of us, there are two in the friendship and neither is the main character. You would not want the friendship to be all about you. It would soon end because you are not considering the other person. No one really wants to be around someone who is always talking about himself or herself. Therefore, consider the need of your friend and give him time to express himself.

Number four- Be there for him, I was taught at a young age to not go to my friend's house all the time because she might not want to see me all the time even though we were friends. That stayed with me all my life and I have lasting friendships. We should be there for our friend's day or night if there is a need but when the need is past, it is a good idea to reduce the visits and calls. We would not want to smother a person by always being there but we should show ourselves dependable in time of need.

Number five- tell him the truth, there is an old saying that the truth hurts and it can but it can also make a person better by hearing it. We are not a good friend if we cover up a person wrongdoing or do not tell him that he is wrong. If he gets angry with us for telling him the truth then he is probably not our friend.

Sometimes covering for a person will get us in trouble along with him so tell the truth to prevent a future problem. Being a good friend shows character. It consists of honesty, patience, love. Caring and selflessness. If we would walk in these traits with our friends, we will have them for a lifetime.