Friendship

My mom always told us: "To have a friend, you must be a friend." If you really think about it, it makes total sense. Who wants to be friends with someone who isn't their friend? What you put into a relationship is ultimately what you get out of it. If you are negative, negative people will gravitate to you, but if you are positive and social, you will find that type of person in your life. If you are a "bad" friend, no one will want to continue that relationship, well unless they too do not value your friendship.
Luckily, I have the greatest people in my life. I have friends on four continents, spread all over the US, and a few in Canada. Because of the relationships I have made, I am a strong and confident person who feels comfortable going out and exploring this great big world in which we live.  I know that no matter where this life leads me, there is always someone out there on which I can depend and with whom I can laugh.
I have done some research on "friends" and what characteristics make up a friendship.  There are several qualities that make up a good friend and many definitions of the word. Here are a few of my favorites characteristics and my own breakdown of each:
     1. Honesty
     2. Attentive and adaptable
     3. Supportive/ Sticks with you in good times and in bad times
     4. Fun, unique, and interesting

Honesty
To me, honesty is the most important facet of any relationship. If you are my friend, you must be honest. There is nothing that my friends cannot be honest with me about, and I strive to always be honest with them. Be it about clothes, movie preferences, my opinion about their significant other, etc., I will be honest with them. I appreciate the honesty that I receive from my friends, and I know that they are honest with me (regardless of if they agree with me or not) because they have my best interest in mind.

Attentive and Adaptable
This quality sets true friends apart from the untrue friends (Ya know, those "facebook friends" that you keep on your Facebook page just to keep up with because maybe you will want to hang out or may need something from them someday).  In this crazy, nomadic life that I live, I constantly need dependable, adaptable people by my side. Every day changes for me, but my friends always roll with it and are attentive to my feelings and try to understand, to the best of their ability, the reasons behind my decisions.

Supportive
I would not be as happy as I am if it wasn't for the love and support I receive from my friends. I know that I can do anything and reach for my goals with my friends behind me all the way. Let's face it, we will not always agree on everything or understand every reason for the decisions that people make, but we can always be supportive of what they want out of life and encourage them to reach for their dreams.

Fun, Unique, and Interesting
While I analyze each and every friendship I have, they are all unique and interesting in their own way. I can and do laugh with all of my friends, and we can always have a good time. Life is too short to not have fun. I want my friends to always be able to have a good time with me and value our relationship as unique and interesting.

I thought about writing separate blogs to each of my dearest friends, but honestly that would take me forever. That's a good thing though!!! I have so many great people in my life that I consider a true friend; one who possesses all of the above qualities.  There are several of you that I consider my best friends, and I know that no matter where I go in this world or what I decide to do with my life, you will always be there for me. It's truly not about the quantity of friends you have, it's about the quality! I am just lucky enough to have both, and for that I thank each and every one of you. I just hope that I live up to the characteristics of what a "true friend" is to you. I will always strive to be that friend to you in your best times and in your worse times; I promise. <3