We never need to be or feel alone in this world, but
it’s up to us to create and allow opportunities to be
together, enjoy each other, and be there for each other. It’s up to us to make our relationships priorities.
With this in mind, I recently asked on
Facebook, “What does it mean to be a true friend ?” I compiled some of the ideas that resonated strongly with me (some of them paraphrased or slightly altered for ease of reading).

1. Always be there, even in silence.
2. Be kind and listen. Be fun and light. Be
serious when needed, love extensively, and forgive
always.
3. Don’t be scared to tell each other the truth
no matter how difficult it may be.
4. Guide each other in times of need with your
honest opinions.
5. A true friend is someone who always
listens and is genuinely interested in the
good and bad, and someone who calls or
writes just to say hello.
6. Be loyal in confidence and character,
always open and inviting to share concerns, always
honest even if you disagree.
7. A true friend tries his best to cheer you up
when you are upset and makes you feel special.

8. Try and improve their life though your
friendship.
9. Be who you truly are—be that vulnerable–
and provide the other person the space, safety and
choice to do the same.
10. Be genuinely happy when they get,
receive, or achieve something you truly
desire.
11. Share the truth in your heart, without the
fear of misunderstandings.
12. Be loyal and forgive but above all: love and
respect.
13. Accept the person as they are, as an
individual, without conditions. Also, as
important as it is for you to be there for them,
sometimes you have to be willing to let them be
there for you.
14. Remain friends despite a person’s
choices in life and don’t bail on them when they
aren’t who you want them to be.
15. A true friend always supports the person
but doesn’t feel compelled to support the
situation. A true friend knows how and when to
say the firm, “No.”
16. Help yourself and those closest to you
grow. To live means to grow, and a true friend is
someone that you can honestly say has helped
define you as an individual.
17. Celebrate the wins and being there to
support the losses. Keep your word and
acknowledge it when you don’t.
18. Walk in to a friend’s aid when others are
walking out.
19. Don’t hold grudges over petty
disagreements.
20. Show up! You can pretend to care but you
cannot pretend to show up.
21. A true friend is someone you feel as
comfortable with as you do when you are by
yourself. No illusions, no holding back.
22. Be there for the other person in the same
way you would be there for yourself. Granted,
if you can’t be there for yourself, that’s probably
something you should address first.
23. Don’t let your own stuff get in the way.
The ego is powerful
24. Know someone’s least admirable
characteristics and still love and support
them .

segzyj: We never need to be or feel alone in this world, but
it’s up to us to create and allow opportunities to be
together, enjoy each other, and be there for each other. It’s up to us to make our relationships priorities.
With this in mind, I recently asked on
Facebook, “What does it mean to be a true friend ?” I compiled some of the ideas that resonated strongly with me (some of them paraphrased or slightly altered for ease of reading).

1. Always be there, even in silence.
2. Be kind and listen. Be fun and light. Be
serious when needed, love extensively, and forgive
always.
3. Don’t be scared to tell each other the truth
no matter how difficult it may be.
4. Guide each other in times of need with your
honest opinions.
5. A true friend is someone who always
listens and is genuinely interested in the
good and bad, and someone who calls or
writes just to say hello.
6. Be loyal in confidence and character,
always open and inviting to share concerns, always
honest even if you disagree.
7. A true friend tries his best to cheer you up
when you are upset and makes you feel special.

8. Try and improve their life though your
friendship.
9. Be who you truly are—be that vulnerable–
and provide the other person the space, safety and
choice to do the same.
10. Be genuinely happy when they get,
receive, or achieve something you truly
desire.
11. Share the truth in your heart, without the
fear of misunderstandings.
12. Be loyal and forgive but above all: love and
respect.
13. Accept the person as they are, as an
individual, without conditions. Also, as
important as it is for you to be there for them,
sometimes you have to be willing to let them be
there for you.
14. Remain friends despite a person’s
choices in life and don’t bail on them when they
aren’t who you want them to be.
15. A true friend always supports the person
but doesn’t feel compelled to support the
situation. A true friend knows how and when to
say the firm, “No.”
16. Help yourself and those closest to you
grow. To live means to grow, and a true friend is
someone that you can honestly say has helped
define you as an individual.
17. Celebrate the wins and being there to
support the losses. Keep your word and
acknowledge it when you don’t.
18. Walk in to a friend’s aid when others are
walking out.
19. Don’t hold grudges over petty
disagreements.
20. Show up! You can pretend to care but you
cannot pretend to show up.
21. A true friend is someone you feel as
comfortable with as you do when you are by
yourself. No illusions, no holding back.
22. Be there for the other person in the same
way you would be there for yourself. Granted,
if you can’t be there for yourself, that’s probably
something you should address first.
23. Don’t let your own stuff get in the way.
The ego is powerful
24. Know someone’s least admirable
characteristics and still love and support
them .

k