Friends Forever? Part II
Sometimes, Friendships End.
I have been the recipient of both long-lasting friendships and friendships-of-the day. I have opened up to every one of them in the same way, without caution. Sure, there were times I regretted saying
this or that (when it came back to haunt me), but ultimately I have found that with each new friend that comes and goes from my life, I have learned something. I have always grown from the relationship - even those
that ended badly.
Friends are treasures. Sometimes they are in the form of diamonds, strong and brilliant. Other times they are in the form of fools gold, weak and dull. With
each relationship, there is something to be gained. Diamonds last forever and fools gold is fun to show off to others, but you know in your heart it isn't real.
So, what have I learned from all my friends over the years? From the friends that came into my life and left, I have learned patience, forgiveness and I learned that people change, and change is good. From
those friends who I still hold dear to my heart, I have learned how to compromise, be a better listener, that everyone has faults and that I can be loved even when I mess up.
Friends will come and friends will go. With each new friendship there are diamonds to be found. Some will shine through brilliantly, while others will dim as time goes on. Take stock in the lessons learned from a
failed friendship. Each experience brought something into your life. It may take time to discover what it is, but it's there. The footprints left after a failed friendship are often masked by the emotions you are feeling about the loss.
There are no bad friends, just missed opportunities for discovering what you may have learned from the relationship. Even if the only thing you learned was that you desired more from a friend - that's something.
We all desire true friendship - and it is possible. Sometimes we have to reflect on how we are doing as a friend. Are we being the best friends we can be? Or are we caught up in the expectations of the people we bring into our lives?
Be a good friend - make a good friend.
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