Every so often I find a few good Poems or Article for you, and I thought I would combine these two. Someone doesn’t have to be the perfect fit and we don’t have to be perfect either, but here are some traits and qualities we can find in a Good Friendship that could be helpful to some of you out there who are wondering what things make for a Good Friendship or how we can Grow our Present Friendships. See if somethings here are meaningful to you and how many you can relate with, hey?
What Makes A Good Friend?
By ReachOut Australia
Signs of a good friend
Friends will come and go in your life. No matter how long your friendships last, the most important thing is your friends’ acceptance of you for who you are. A good friend walks the talk and shows that they care by their actions – big and small.
A good friend:
is there for you, no matter what
doesn’t judge you
doesn’t put you down or deliberately hurt your feelings
is kind and respectful to you
is someone whose company you enjoy
is loyal
is trustworthy and willing to tell you truth, even if it’s hard to hear
laughs with you
stays around when things get tough
makes you smile
is there to listen
comforts you if you’re upset.
How to be a good friend
If you treat the people around you in the ways described above, then you’re already a good friend to them. But it’s not always easy to know how to be there for your friends.
Listen to them
Try to understand a situation from your friend’s point of view. Ask questions to get a sense of a problem or issue, but the main thing is to listen to them. You don’t have to have all the answers, and don’t assume that your friend wants advice – they may just want to talk so that they can work it out for themselves.
Ask them what they need
If you’re worried about someone and you want to be there for them, ask them what they need. You’ll then know what they find helpful during rough times, and you can offer them support in a way that’s genuinely helpful.
Get physical
If you’re a hugger, ask your friend whether it would be okay to hug them. Once you get the ok, hug away! Hugging your friends can be a great way to show you care for them. Physical contact can be comforting, especially when someone feels alone.
Keep in touch
Even if you don’t live nearby, show your friends you’re there for them by making an effort to keep in regular touch through texts and calls, maybe social media.
Tell them how you feel
You don’t have to make a big deal about it all the time, but you can make a real difference to how someone is feeling just by letting them know how important they are to you. So, go for it!
Article Source HERE
Ways to be a Good Friend
by Laura Jackson
Every friendship is unique, with its own secrets and funnies. These timeless pieces of advice will help you grow strong connections, whether you’re lifelong friends or just getting to know each other.
Be Honest
You must be able to expect real and honest communication from your friends. Even when it may be hard to hear the truth, friends find a way to blend kindness and authenticity. Our friends can often recognize things in ourselves that we can’t, helping us see through the static and find the strength to move forward.
Learn to Listen
A good friend must learn to listen. People want to be heard and friendship provides the opportunity to hear and to be heard. Knowing when to be silent and listen is a crucial aspect of friendship. Compassion is sometimes a very quiet task — and you can’t sit in silence with just anyone. You’ll know if your friend is ready for advice, or if they just need to feel your support and empathy.
Give Encouragement
A good friend challenges you to be the best version of yourself and pushes you to keep growing. Sometimes our friends make mistakes or do things we don’t agree with, but even still, support from a close friend can make all the difference. A good friend is not judgmental. Instead, you should hope for your friend to become the best versions of themselves, with encouragement from you throughout their journey.
Show Love and Acceptance
We all need help lightening the load from weighty burdens of our own worlds. Freedom to be yourself with no exceptions is priceless, and genuine acceptance is a life-changing gift. Look for opportunities to surprise friends with small but meaningful gestures such as bringing their favorite coffee drink or offering to pick up their groceries when you’re at a store. More than anything, love and accept your friend — just as they are.
Be Loyal
A good friend nurtures, especially when no one else is around to do the task. Friends commit to the relationship — even when things are tough. A friend who is going through a difficult season might not be that loveable, but a good friend remains loyal to love their friend regardless of the circumstances. Even a quick phone call with a friend can bring sunshine into a dismal day.
Reciprocate
Support needs to flow both ways for friendship to work best. If you’re fortunate to have a friend reach out, be sure to do the same. You don’t want to be the only beneficiary in the friendship, so learning to reciprocate shows you are a good friend in return. Even friends who seem to have it all together will appreciate you checking in about what’s going on in their life.
Remember the Details
A good friend remembers the important days in people’s lives. Of course, it’s the birthdays and anniversaries, but it’s also the dates few others may know or recall… the day they announced their illness went, or when a favorite grandma passed away. A good friend also remembers small unique details about a person — like the fact that they don’t like mushrooms or other small things.
Reciprocate
Support needs to flow both ways for friendship to work best. If you’re fortunate to have a friend reach out, be sure to do the same. You don’t want to be the only beneficiary in a friendship, so learning to reciprocate shows you are a good friend in return. Even friends who seem to have it all together will appreciate you checking in about what’s going on in their life.
Relate
A good friend finds common interest in subjects. Even if a friend doesn’t care about the subject or hobby, they show interest to better relate to their friends. A true friend will always try to see things from your perspective, even if sometimes they have a different one.
Be Present
Be there when it matters most. You never know when you may be the only one. Pick up the phone when their name flashes on your screen and show up at their doorstep if or when you can. There is nothing like having a person you can depend on when you need it most.
Article Source HERE