The Fruit of Friendship February 19, 2014
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Life Balance, People.trackback
Friendship is a fluid concept, changing as we change.
At its most basic, I would define friendship as a “mutually rewarding relationship” ~ a give and take, fueled by reciprocity and generosity.
Friendships blossom in comfortable silences and shared smiles.
Friends don’t all offer us the same thing. We may have different friends for different reasons (and seasons):
* Some lighten our load when we’ve had enough.
* Others make us laugh.
* Some offer a shoulder to cry on and bring us soup when we’re sick.
* Others tease us and remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.
* Some are trusted confidantes.
* Others share our love of art, music, dance, books.
The occasional few do ALL those things (and more). These keepers, like Hobbes, become our BFFs ~ Best Friends Forever.
Friendships ripen over time, developing depth of character with age. They improve our journey, no matter the length of the road.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related post: Thoughts on Friendship (Lisa A. Kramer)
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Spirit Lights The Way 
I like your definition of friendship Nancy. Great post 🙂
Thanks, Rainee. Lisa’s post sparked several of these thoughts. I think Friendships may be a bit like Food ~ full of variety and spice. 😀
So true about different friends for different reasons AND seasons Nancy. This is such a timely post for me this morning. I just found a dear friend from grade school on FB over the weekend and gave her a call. Like old times. She and I also went away to college together and roomed together. I think people come into our lives for a reason!
That’s so FUN, Pix. FB helped me get in touch with some friends from “way back when” too. I’m glad you picked up the phone and called her ~ conversation helps us renew our connection. 😀
If all our friends were the same, life would become boring. Thankfully friendships come in all shapes and sizes.
Yes! If friends were all the same, it would be like eating the same thing every day ~ a rather monotonous diet.
Then, of course, there are those friends who are like leeches, constantly drawing on our energy. Should one rid oneself of such negativity, or regard it as a duty for the stronger to support the weaker?
I’ve yet to have a “mutually rewarding relationship” with a leech. With leeches, it’s all TAKE and no GIVE. 😛
So the answer is, ‘Dump ’em!’
That’s the ticket!
Friends and neighbors. I’m so fortunate with my neighbors. Over the past ten years, most of them have become good friends. I love being able to step outside and say “hi” and talk for a while.
It’s great when we’re surrounded by people we enjoy being around.
I like how you describe friendships Nancy, like food, they are “full of variety and spice”; it’s so true. Some stay for a while and some for a lifetime; we are forever changing and need different friends for different things at different stages of our lives.
Thanks, Barb. I would have a tough time keeping up with some of my “old friends” . . . unless they’ve slowed down too. 😉
I agree with your views on friends. If we’re lucky, a few change in the same ways we do and we can relate to them through many stages in life.
Yes!!! That’s definitely what happened with BFF and me ~ we grew in the same or similar ways so that compatibility is not an issue. Another good friend (for 25+) lost interest when I stopped practicing law ~ being friends with a “gad-about” didn’t suit her. 😉
Some friends can also test us and push us to our limitsbut this isn’t always a bad thing 😉
Yes! They can motivate us to “Do It!” . . . whatever IT is. 😀
[…] The Fruit of Friendship […]
Enjoyed your post on “Thelma and Louise” discussing 12 Years A Slave.
So true! Friends do improve our journey!
Especially when they aren’t tugging on our sleeves when we’re ready to spread our wings.
Lovely definition of friendship. Thanks for the link.
Thanks for sparking the discussion!