I'll tell you what I told my kids as they were going thru highschool and having the same difficulties. Yes, this still applies because there's buttload of adults who never got this told to them.
Life is full of people you'll meet, some are good and some are bad and some float in between. People tend to call other people they think are good, "Friends". Thing is, people use the word "Friend" too easily to describe someone who's just a good acquaintance, not a real friend. You see, an actual friend would never demean or belittle you, never lie or take advantage of you, and never put you in a situation they wouldn't like to be in themselves. If any of your "Friends" have done that to you, they aren't a friend...they're just someone who fooled you into thinking they were. Learn to key in on the things those types who would take advantage of you for their own selfish reasons. When you get good at it, you'll realize that there's very few people in the world you can actually call a true friend. Hold onto them and support them and they will reciprocate, no matter what's going on or for what reasons....they'll stick by you. Those who don't were never a friend at all...
Words of wisdom and exactly what I have been saying for years. People do not know what a friend is and they confuse it with acquaintances - just as you stated. To have but one friend in a lifetime is a true blessing. When I think of real friendship I think of David and Jonathan in the Bible. Friends are not with you for what they can get from you beyond just the friendship. Friends are genuinely concerned in the welfare of the other and it is a two way reciprocal relationship - not lopsided with one party doing all the giving and work. You are right. If you are lucky enough to have that kind of friendship, guard it and cherish it because that is true treasure.
I'll tell you what I told my kids as they were going thru highschool and having the same difficulties. Yes, this still applies because there's buttload of adults who never got this told to them.
Life is full of people you'll meet, some are good and some are bad and some float in between. People tend to call other people they think are good, "Friends". Thing is, people use the word "Friend" too easily to describe someone who's just a good acquaintance, not a real friend. You see, an actual friend would never demean or belittle you, never lie or take advantage of you, and never put you in a situation they wouldn't like to be in themselves. If any of your "Friends" have done that to you, they aren't a friend...they're just someone who fooled you into thinking they were. Learn to key in on the things those types who would take advantage of you for their own selfish reasons. When you get good at it, you'll realize that there's very few people in the world you can actually call a true friend. Hold onto them and support them and they will reciprocate, no matter what's going on or for what reasons....they'll stick by you. Those who don't were never a friend at all...
Thank you. What you say is all true.
Painful but true.
Words of wisdom and exactly what I have been saying for years. People do not know what a friend is and they confuse it with acquaintances - just as you stated. To have but one friend in a lifetime is a true blessing. When I think of real friendship I think of David and Jonathan in the Bible. Friends are not with you for what they can get from you beyond just the friendship. Friends are genuinely concerned in the welfare of the other and it is a two way reciprocal relationship - not lopsided with one party doing all the giving and work. You are right. If you are lucky enough to have that kind of friendship, guard it and cherish it because that is true treasure.