The Value of Friendship

How do we assess true friendship? When we were eight, we would share our sweets and cookies with our buddies and it was natural. As the years passed by, we grew up and our best friends became our confidantes. They shared and were expected to keep our deepest and darkest secrets. Aw, the value of friendship. How do we prove that we are worthy of it?
First of all, friendship should never be measured. It should never be taken for granted and it should never be undermined. We can exercise it in many ways BUT all of these ways must have a positive outcome. IF they should ever have a negative turnover THEN we have ceased to be true friends.
I believe if Belizeans and people the world over are to succeed in this ever changing world we MUST have TRUE FRIENDS. No matter the nationality, color, ethnicity, culturE or language. We choose our friends and for better or worst we are bonded by that thing we call LOYALTY. IT MAY SEEM SUCH A LITTLE WORD, but in actuality it is bigger than life where friendship is concerned.
A true friend must never feel he or she cannot confide in the person with whom they share this special bond. Once we have to hide from our friend what we have in our hearts and minds, then we have lost the meaning of friendship and undoubtedly we have lost a friend.
The value of friendship, therefore, is bigger than the universe. It is captured in songs, poems and stories. It is captured by the heart, the mind, the eyes, the mouth and the arms. It is captured because it is a thing to cherish, to have and to hold forever and ever.
Each day is a new beginning. Each day is a new approach to one's destiny. How do we arm ourselves for it? How do we prepare for the battle to save a friendship? We enter into battle armed with LOVE. We enter into battle armed with the TRUTH. We enter into battle with SINCERITY. We do it because we are TRUE FRIENDS.
SO, HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WHAT NOT TO DO?
EASY. We use RESPECT for our friends. We must respect their wishes, we must respect their privacy and we must respect their judgement. We can make our comments and options to our true friends BUT we must be prepared to accept that they will want us to RESPECT their decisions. After all, they MUST HAVE THE FINAL SAY IN THEIR LIVES. True friends MUST KNOW WHEN TO BACK AWAY AND LET THINGS BE. They must be willing to sit back and relax until they are called upon to deal with whatever is asked of them.
The value of friendship is easy to appreciate but hard to deal with. However, if the friendship is to continue we must accept that there are things beyond us which do not require that we partake in them. Especially if they will add pain and suffering to a person we call a friend.
THAT IS THE HARDEST PART OF BEING A FRIEND. BUT IF THE FRIENDSHIP IS TO SURVIVE THEN IT MUST BE DONE.
SO, TO THE MANY FRIENDS WHO THINK THEY DO WELL WHEN THEY OVERRULE THE WISHES OF A FRIEND I SAY, HEED THE WISDOM OF TIME. HEED THE WISDOM OF THE BRAIN. HEED THE WISHES OF YOUR FRIEND. Value the friendship. Value the friend. Value the trust and value the after claps of your actions. For once you have crossed the line, you nolonger have the power to take back what you have done and only God knows the effect your actions will have on the future of your friend. It could be as insignificant as an ant hill or has huge as Mount Everest. Beware of your judgements. No all good intentions end up good.
FRIENDSHIP IS SPECIAL. IT JOINS PEOPLE TOGETHER. ONCE IT IS LOST THERE IS NO RETURN.
SO, MY FRIENDS, I HOPE WE CAN UNDERSTAND FROM THESE FEW WORDS THAT FRIENDSHIP IS A TREASURE TO BE GUARDED.
PEACE TO ALL MY FRIENDS.
I LIVE IN THIS WORLD. I LOVE IN THIS WORLD. I FIGHT FOR FRIENDSHIP. I FIGHT FOR SANITY. I FIGHT FOR CLARITY. I AM A FRIEND.