Great Friendships Lead to Happiness
“Never idealize others. They will never live up to your expectations. Don’t over-analyze your relationships. Stop playing games. A growing relationship can only be nurtured by genuineness.” — Leo F. Buscaglia.
We have ALL been there, the awkward stage of not knowing what friendship is and if we even had any. I, too, did not know who my true friends were at the time and have now found such an amazing bunch to call my ‘crew’. Friendships are like flowers; some will flourish into something beautiful, but some will not. The only ones you want are the ones that will make your whole body and soul flourish to be the very best of you. Genuine friendships are hard to look for, but you will know when you have it when you feel it. It would be a feeling of content and happiness all mixed into one. Life is just all that much better when you have them.
Friendships that bring out the best, and even the worst, of you are hard to find. Those who you can be vulnerable with are the ones you would consider closest and dear. The ones who will accept you for who you are, they are the true friends you need. Vulnerability is not suppose to phase someone from loving you the way you are and vice versa. It is a privilege to have that kind of intimacy and closeness with others, it “will open you to the depth of your heart and the realization that you are already loved, unconditionally and always.” (Huffingtonpost). The greatest kinds of friendships are the ones where you can be seen without the fear of judgement knowing the other person will not judge you, but simply listen to you genuinely.
Think about it, those days where you just feel like shit and need someone to listen to you ramble, that is what friends are for. Not only for moments in despair, but also when you feel on top of the world. Cheering for you every step of the way to help you feel encouraged to be and do the very best you can. Sometimes, friends can even be critical; hopefully, because they care about you enough to tell you something is not right. Friendships are like roller coasters because you have your ups and downs. They are also “rare, enriching, confusing, and double-edge dynamic.” (Motivated Mastery). However, what would life be without those kind of qualities? Probably not that engaging, I would assume.
Nowadays, as we live and learn, we need people more than ever to be there for us and to grow with us. Life is much easier when you have a support system and people you can rely on when in doubt, or just in pure joy. If a bond between friends are meant to be, then that friendship can last a lifetime. It is acceptable to hangout with friends when everyone is all old because that is all a part of life. So, adventure and seek for friendships that will last you a lifetime of happiness. Remember that people change and they will come and go as they please, because that is life. However, those who choose to stay are the ones who value you as a true friend.
Last, but not least, they love you for who you are. Despite how different you may be from one another, a true friend will always be there for you. As stated by Seneca, a Roman philosopher, “Anyone thinking of his own interests and seeking out friendship with this kind of view is making a great mistake. Things will end as they begun.” (Motivated Mastery). You should not have to change yourself, or make yourself uncomfortable, to feel like you have friends. From personal experience, placing yourself in a group that you cannot connect with on a common interest level, or a group that is not really your friends, is more sad than a group where you can be yourself. It is okay to not agree on things with others and remove yourself from situations you cannot picture yourself in. You, too, have a voice and mind.
Overall, friendships will come and go. Live in the moment, life is short. Those who want to be a part of your life will find a way to stay. Like they say, “if there is a will, there is a way”. Remember, being vulnerable with close ones does not mean you are weak. Rather, it is a type of intimate way of letting someone know you trust them and feel comfortable enough to tell them certain things. Whether they are there for a lifetime or for a spare moment, everyone has carved you to be who you are today and you have as well for them. Great friendships will lead to true happiness, for a lifetime.
References:
Bair, Susanna. “Are You Strong Enough to Be Vulnerable?” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 4 Apr. 2013, www.huffingtonpost.com/susanna-bair/vulnerability_b_2999783.html.
“What It Means to Be a Good Friend and Other Wisdom on One of Life’s Rarest Assets — Motivated Mastery.” Motivated Mastery, 28 Apr. 2016, www.motivatedmastery.com/short-guide-someones-best-friend/.
