Friendships
Good friends are hard to find and even harder to keep. Most of us long for that one person we can count on—especially when life gets tough. A true friend isn’t just someone who says the right words, but someone whose actions speak louder than promises.
“You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s their actions, not words, that matter.”
— Nicholas Sparks
Maybe that’s why we form deeper bonds with people whose actions prove they genuinely care.
The Definition of Friendship
A true friend knows your secrets.
They’ve seen you at your worst and stood by you through thick and thin.
They know what lifts you up and what breaks you down—and love you anyway.
That’s what makes the bond of friendship so special. Loyalty, respect, and mutual understanding turn someone from a companion into a best friend.
Friendship Over Time
As we grow older, the close-knit friendships we had in our youth often fade due to life’s changing paths. People move, get busy, and change. But that doesn’t mean friendship becomes any less important.
“Spending time with friends is fun. But it may also yield a multitude of long-term physical and emotional health benefits.”
— EverydayHealth.com
In fact, healthy friendships have been shown to:
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Ease the aging process
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Reduce feelings of grief or loss
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Motivate us toward personal growth
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Boost emotional and mental wellness
So yes—good friends matter just as much as good food and exercise.
Loyalty and Friendship
Friendships shape how we treat others—our spouse, our coworkers, our children. They teach us empathy, patience, and trust.
“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”
— Bob Marley
Many people claim to be friends, but few truly embody what friendship means. Friendship isn’t just proximity or shared hobbies. It’s loyalty, consistency, honesty, and genuine care.
So, How Many of Us Have Them?
Being a good friend requires effort, dependability, sincerity, and sometimes sacrifice. In a world that often prioritizes self-interest, finding someone who values connection as much as you do can feel rare.
But when you do—it’s priceless.
What do you think makes a true friend?
Share your thoughts or tag someone who’s been there for you through it all.
Because real friends aren’t just people you talk to—they’re people who make life better.
Amen to that. True friendship is seen when you’re down, ill, and feel broken. Few have those friendship and many desire it. Your best friend is yourself if we love our self despite our flaws. ….bravo Ms. Patrice
Empress M, so true. Glad you like it. Thank you for your support.
What an insightful post. I don’t count many true friends in my life mainly because i hold them to such high standards. A friend must be someone I can trust and always rely on no matter what. Unfortunately it can be really hard to find those people. I am lucky to have a few I know to be true.
Tiffany, Glad you like post. Friends and friendship and finding true friends once personal choice not easy.
Great post! I only have enough friends to count on one hand and I am perfectly fine with that. I’d rather have a few loyal friends than hang around people I can’t trust.
Bree
Quirky, Brown Love
Bree, I rather have a few friends too. Thank for your support.
Many people forget that everyone is not meant to stay in your life permanently, which can be explained in other words by saying that everyone is not your friend. I enjoyed this post, because it highlights what benefits can be reaped by having healthy friendships. Some people are in toxic friendships and sincerely wonder why they are so miserable.
Glad you like this post.
Some people forget that everyone is not meant to stay in your life permanently, which can be explained in other words by saying that everyone is not your friend. I enjoyed this post, because it highlights what benefits can be reaped by having healthy friendships. Some people are in toxic friendships and sincerely wonder why they are so miserable.
Ariana, you are so correct Some friendship are diffculty to keep. Thanks you for your support.
I really enjoyed your post Patrice, sincerity is such an important part of friendship. The best friends are the ones that stick by you through thick and thin. They know your flaws and your greatness like nobody else.
Leslei, If only others would understand that to be a friend you have to give of your self that’s what best friends do.
You make valid point.s I’m very fortunate to have good friends that I can call on to listen to and more while I’m living abroad. You really see who your friends are when you can’t just pick up the phone and talk to them everyday but they still maintain your relationship.
Nicole great to hear about your friendships. Glad you like. Thanks for your support.
I don’t use the word friendship lightly. I have only one friend who I know I can turn to for anything, others I consider to be associates.
Melody that is all you need one friend. Thanks for your support.
Finding a true friend is difficult. I can only count on one hand the number of people I can call a true friend. They are the ones I can trust and rely on when needed. I am glad I have these people in my life. Great post!
Glad you like post Celeste. True friend if you have one don’t let them go.
I don’t have a ton of friends, but the ones I do have are great ones. Many have been around for years. The oldest friend 30 years!
That is so great to hear about your long-term friendships. Thank you for your support.
You are so right about that Patrice! I’m so very blessed to have some really great sister-friends in my circle that I can call on anytime.
Christine, so many people do not know the difference between acquaintance and true friends. Glad you like this post.
I preach to my kids daily, there are friends and there are associates. I tend to describe my friends as those that I know will lay down their life for my children. Other than that, you’re an associate – I can talk on the phone with you when I have time, lol.
Taya so true. Glad you like post & thank you for your support.
What a powerful question. I have lost a lot of friends as a result of pursuing my purpose- not all friendships are meant to last.
Patricia You are so right not all friendship are meanth to last. Thanks for your support.