Words from my book Seize the Day on the subject of friendship and what it takes to be a true friend to others – a friend indeed.
An onion shared with a friend
tastes like roast lamb.
Egyptian proverb
One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship
is to understand and to be understood.
Seneca
Words are easy, like the wind;
faithful friends are hard to find.
William Shakespeare
If you are ready to share not just the good times,
but the bad;
if you are willing to listen,
and keep on listening,
even though the record seems cracked;
if you are happy sometimes to speak,
sometimes to keep silent,
sometimes to reach out,
sometimes to hold back;
if you are prepared to be misunderstood,
misinterpreted,
the support you offer thrown back in your face;
if you are happy to meet with rejection –
to be the butt of anger,
self-pity,
fear
and frustration;
if you are open to being taken for granted,
put upon,
manipulated;
if you are willing to open your heart to another,
to lay bare your soul,
and to let them do the same;
if you can recognise a cry for help,
even before it’s uttered,
and respond without needing to be asked;
if you are ready to be there when needed,
come rain or shine,
to offer a helping hand,
a comforting word,
a willing ear,
a caring hug;
if you are ready to offer all these, and more,
then truly you are a friend in need,
a friend indeed.