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Friends
Even if you have good friends it's important to look after these relationships.
The friendship, fun and enjoyment of friends can mean so much. It's good to be able to tell a best friend your worries, your hopes, your ambitions and your uncertainties. A true friend is someone who admires and respects you for who you are, who is pleased to see you happy and someone you can trust completely.
A friend who competes with you, who pressurises you to do something you don't want to or who enjoys when things are not going right for you isn't a friend. What type of friend are you?
For young people who don't have any true friends, it can be very distressing. Sometimes they might give the impression that they don't really want to be friends with anyone or that they are in some way 'above' everyone.
But just think about it for a moment. Do you really believe that anyone can truly say that they don't need friends? I don't think so! Everyone needs a friend. If you know someone who is a 'loner' remember how lonely that must be.
Healthy friendships
- Always be yourself. Be independent.
- Listen to your friends. Remember we have two ears and one mouth and we should use them in that proportion!
- Be a democrat and ensure that no one person makes all the decisions.
- Don't talk behind someone's back. If you have nothing good to say then say NOTHING! If you have something to say then say it directly to the person concerned.
- Be honest and be tactful. There's no need for 'brutal' honesty.
- Be positive and encouraging of your friends. Remember that we all find it hard to be positive about ourselves at times and that we need encouragement from others - in other words, believe in your friend even when he/she does not believe in themselves.
- Make an effort to be fun and to get involved in activities with your friends.
- Be trustworthy, genuine and truthful even if this means not always saying what your friend might want to hear. Be supportive when your friend is in bad form. Be a shoulder to cry on!
- Remember that all friendships go through difficult times too. When you have a 'falling out', sort it out sooner rather than later by talking it out together calmly. Avoid blaming each other. Try saying how you feel.
Thanks to the School Journal.
