Friends.

As a child, my mum would always say "show me your friend and I will tell you who you are". To be honest, that was one of the proverbs I didn't like. Why on earth would I do such a thing? Anyway, she also made me understand that not everyone could and/or would be my friend, which means that I'd have to turn down some requests and some of mine would be turned down as well. The reality of that statement started to dawn on me in my pre-teen years.

The craze for a companion was enormous. In fact, to be honest, I spent several hours daily fantasizing on the kind of friendship I wanted to build with a particular person. I wouldn't say I was in love because I didn't understand the concept at that time but I know it was a true feeling. I would pay visits, hang around her gate, go to their house for evangelism, intentionally miss my way and go there to ask for directions and other crazy stuff like that. I just sit back and laugh whenever it comes to my mind. I am even smiling now :). I needed a friend and I needed it to be her, no one else, no excuses.

The irony of life is when one is dying to be friends with someone who doesn't care. Its very painful and for my young heart at that time, it was just unbearable. Despite all my efforts (I didn't include some because my Pastor and my mum would read this), she just didn't want to be friends with me. I did most of her assignments without getting any appreciation and I didn't relent. I took strokes of cane on her behalf and she'd sit with her friends laughing. lol. I WAS really stupid tho.

A majority of us faced similar situations and are still facing such situations. Let by-gone be by-gone but the present matters. Look around you, there is definitely someone who craves your attention. That person who calls you even when you delete their number, that person who remembers your birthday, that person who would sacrifice all they have to make sure you are satisfied. Look around, discover them and reciprocate.

"Never put aside those who put you first".

You too can become someone's GOOD friend. Its quite simple. You may try the following tips, they work for me.

>>>> Be approachable. Smile.

>>>> Learn to listen.

>>>> Do away with your pride. This doesn't mean that you let down your self esteem and your principles.

>>>> Reciprocate acts of kindness and initiate some on your own.

>>>> Communicate.

>>>> Learn to admit your shortcomings and apologize immediately.

>>>> Complement often. I do this soooooo much.

>>>> Be reliable and trustworthy.

>>>> Above all, become what you'd prefer your friends to be to you.


Find a good friend, therein lies happiness.

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