Good friends help you to find important things when you have lost them... your smile, your hope, and your courage.
Doe Zantamata
There's a big difference between a friend and an acquaintance. A friend is someone you call your day one, someone that you people share some kind of deep emotional connection with, while an acquaintance is someone that you share a superficial relationship with.
What makes a good friend for me isn't someone that's perfect but someone that, in their imperfect state, still has some of these qualities.
Trustworthy and reliable
A true friend should be someone I can trust and rely on at any time. Someone that would not be compromised, no matter what. I have seen friends get compromised and, in a heartbeat, divulge information that was shared in confidence; secrets that should never have gotten out became topics for deliberation in public spaces. It is a good thing to have a friend, but the stakes get higher when that friend is one you can trust and depend on.
Empathetic
A true friend should try and understand my feelings and also make an effort to see things from my perspective sometimes. I don't want a friend who's judgmental. A good friend gives emotional support.
Actively listening
Not everyone has the patience to actively listen to what another person is saying. A good friend tries as much as possible to give a listening ear, make eye contact during the conversation, understand what the other person is trying to communicate from their own perspective, and ask questions where necessary.
Respect boundaries Some people don't respect other people's boundaries; a good friend should be able to do that.
A good friend isn't limited to any of this quality. I would not want to brag, but I can say this with full confidence: I am a good friend because I possess all these qualities and more. I have come to realize that being a good friend is a continuous process of growth, as you would need to be open-minded and flexible to learning and improvement.
THANK YOU FOR READING TO THE END 🤗