How Do I Create Great Friendships?

The adage, “A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed” rings true because it is. It not only says that true friends stick by each other during the worst of times, but they also actively help you. It’s not enough for a friend to just laugh with you during the good times, but to help you weather the bad times. That’s why the expression “fair-weather friends” has such a sting to it.

There’s really no fixed recipe for a great friendship. In your own life, you will be able to see friendships that are deeper than others, and more important than others. And it will be invariably because you’ve put more of yourself into them. Deep friendships don’t simply happen. They always have a long history behind them, filled with shenanigans and fulfilling experiences.

No matter what your friendship is built on, it is strengthened by shared experiences. If you want to develop great friendships, be more involved with the people around you. Pay attention to what they say and try to be more involved in their interests.

However, perhaps the most important ingredient in a great friendship is truth. If you can’t be honest and truthful with your friend, then you don’t deserve that friendship. Friends not only acknowledge each other’s strengths and qualities, but they also point out their flaws. This includes telling your friends if they’re being stupid and if they’re in the wrong. Shying away from that simply means you don’t care enough about them to save them from themselves.

So, if you want to be a great friend, be more involved, share more experiences, and tell the truth.