SUNDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK.   TRUE FRIENDS mean A HAPPIER LIFE

“LIFE IS TO BE FORTIFIED BY MANY FRIENDSHIPS. TO LOVE, AND BE LOVED, IS THE GREATEST HAPPINESS OF EXISTENCE.” ~Sydney Smith

I know first hand the importance of friendship, and over the past couple of years, I can hardly imagine my life without my wonderful and unique friends. It’s a revelation to learn that with every step of our life’s journey you can find a friend standing beside every hurdle. The trouble is, in our rush to make money, achieve success, find the meaning of life and goodness knows what else, we often forget or cannot find the time to sustain friendships.

We should never forget how true friends always improve our lives. I know I have friends who are casual, close, a best friend, a realist, the carers, the jokers, a motivator or a role model. But some friends will be more, the right friend can help me feel full of enthusiasm and passion.

Life with my real friends is somehow better, they share virtually every part of my lives, the funny times and the devastating losses. Life becomes more tolerable and full of happiness when shared with friends. The sound of a friends voice when you pick up the phone can instantly make you feel as if the sun has begun to shine from a thundery sky.

None of us should forget that for a friendship to be real some things are important, honesty, faithfulness, loyalty, being a good listener, love, having ideas and interests in common. Mind you we’re all able to learn these characteristics. Generally, in time we can determine who are real and good friends especially when we’re unhappy or when we’re desperate for some real support.

A true friend always has your best interests at heart, and will not turn against you in jealousy, for example, when you have success. Jealousy, according to Shakespeare, is a ‘green-eyed monster,’ and most of us have experienced its destructive force in one form or another. It leaves in its wake shattered emotions that can often take a long time to recover.

Even though we all know the pitfalls, we also know that real friendship is a special and worthwhile gift. It doesn’t cost you a cent. For children, true friends can offer a guide to confidence and maybe relationships that may not be present in their home, especially for an only child. For the elderly, friendship offers a feeling of being wanted and useful instead of feeling alone and isolated.

How do we keep real friends? I guess it depends on what sort of friend you wish to be. I feel the two most important qualities to any friendship is honesty and learning not to judge. Being sympathetic and empathetic helps to bring friends closer and debating how you can be the kind of friend for others, that you want others to be for you.

I found like attracts like and what you put out you get back. There’s a strong possibility of attracting those who share your TRUE personal values.

A real friendship is a blessing in our daily lives. Both adults and children need true friends, new friends and long-time friends. We all need at least one real friend, but to have several is cause for a happier life.

“Friendship is like an old book, when you turn its pages you experience lots of familiar emotions, only to realise, after sharing the best and the worst of the story, you still have the same outcome – love.”~Carmel Rowley

Thank you to all my wonderful friends, I probably don’t tell you often enough how important you are to me. Carmel xxx