Best Friend or Foe?

So your best friend and you are inseparable, huh? You two always stick together like glue. Whatever your pal thinks and does, you’re sure to agree and tag along, and vice versa. After all, that’s what friends are for, riht? NO! Somewhere along the friendship road, if things look like they’re going the wrong way, you must be brave enough to draw the line and ask your self : Is this the kind of friendship that I want? Is it a healthy one? Here a some bits and bobs of what best friend should and shouldn’t do to each other.

Best friend respect and listen. 

A true best friend knows how to listen earnestly without changing the subject to focus on him/herself. He/she respects you and lets you express your thoughts without interrupting. A chatterbox, someone who talks a lot and often dominates the conversation, tends to give his/her best friend a hard time.

Friendship should be positive. 

Friendship makes you feel good, right? Ideally, it should also inspire you to do positive things. So next time you hear your best friend ask you to learn something new, say, how to make some handicrafts or join an extracurricular activity, be grateful to know that you have chosen the right best friend. Positive encouragement or praise from a best friend, even for the smallest achievement, will also strengthen the beautiful bond.

Friendship is all about trust. 

Spending a lot of times together and sharing so many things needs trust. There’s no way you can find the true meaning of friendship with someone who talks behind your back. What you need is someone who can make you feel safe, enjoy, and comfortable to be with. It means that whatever you say won’t be repeated to others without your consent.

Friendship shouldn’t rob you of your space and freedom. 

When your best friend keeps reminding you that both of you should always stick together and gives you a sour look when you do things on your own, beware! You have possesive pal. A healthy relationship should give you enough room to be on your own, doing the stuff that you like to do in private.

What to do : Tell your best friend that there are things you do best, and make you feel best, if you do it by yourself. Also say that the same thing probably applies to him/her too.

Friendship shouldn’t turn you into a pushover. 

“Let’s hang out at that mall again this afternoon. The other day I saw this cute cellphone case I really, really want”. You fully realize your sad financial. You know that if you say yes to your best friend’s invitation, you’ll spend your money, at least, on snacks and drink while wandering around at the mall. Yet, you just CAN’T say no. Even worse, you’ll end up buying a case as well just because your best friend keep nagging you to do the same!

What to do : Enough being this submissive best friend. Take stock of yourself and be brave to say no.

Friendship shouldn’t turn you into an indifferent person. 

You and your gang are motorbike enthusiasts. It feels awesome when all of you blast off on the road. You feel that way because you and your best friend have taken the silencers off your bikes or changed them with the racing type. Thundering like missile being shot into the sky, the bikes surely attract other people and provoke anger! There are things in friendship that can destroy empathy and sensitivity towards others. In the name of gang solidarity, many of us are willing to take part in selfish behavior like littering, smoking, and drawing graffiti in public facilities.

What to do : Listen to your heart and think twice before you and your gang offend or cause harm to others.