What is a True Friend

What is a true friend? A true friend is someone you can count on to laugh with you, cry with you and be there for you through good times and bad. Unfortunately, people do not come with a true friend label; you need to be able to spot the characteristics of a good friend.

Throughout your life, you will encounter many, many people. Some of them will become good buddies and some will become true friends. The difference between a good friend and good buddy is that the friend will be with you for life. Buddies come and go with school, work and neighborhoods, but a true friendship can survive being separated by continents.

It is very disappointing when someone you thought was a friend lets you down. It can be very hurtful when you lose a friendship. You may be sad, lonely and even angry with the "friend" who let you down.

While there is no guarantee that a friendship will last, you can look for several characteristics in a person. If they have the following traits, they are more likely to become your lifelong friend. Luckily, you will be able to tell if a person has these characteristics right away; they are core values that will be apparent in everything a person does.

Characteristics of a True Friend

• Honest and trustworthy: Can they keep a secret? A good friend doesn-t gossip about you. Do they tell they truth? If they lie to you or about you, they are not a true friend. At the same time, however, a true friend will always look out for you. If you ask a friend to keep something that's harmful a secret, like drug use or stealing, they may tell somebody in an attempt to get you help. That's not betrayal, that's caring.
• Good Listener: Do they listen to you or do they only talk about themselves? If you tell them that you don't eat candy, do they remember that?
• Loyal: Do they stick with you even when you are grumpy? Are they still your friend when your sick or out of money? If someone is gossiping about you, will your friend step in and put a stop to it?
• Available: Are they available when you need them? If you need to talk instead of going to the movies, are they willing to sit and talk with you? Will they help you finish your chores so you can go swimming?
• Supportive: A true friend will never make you do something that goes against your moral or religious beliefs. They will not ask you to lie, steal or cheat, or to do drugs or alcohol.

If your friend has these characteristics, you know you have found someone who is a true friend. Be a good friend to this person, and you'll benefit from this friendship for many years to come.