Friendship we all know is one of the beautiful gifts life gives. Friendship encompasses a whole lot of things, in it we find laughter, comfort, companionship and the likes, especially during times when families are not around or nearby. But then, we need to know that life is not free from test, life test us all, the same way what it(life) has to offer(friendship) isn't free form test as well, and we need to know that tests can come in for of those things as cited in the topic... differing beliefs, values or ideas. Now, to what extent can we maintain a friendship when our ideas, beliefs, convictions and the likes no longer align?
Well, I don't know, but then I want to believe not everyone might really agree to my opinion. As many would argue that true and real friendship is all about love and tolerance, and I'm not in any way arguing with that. Tolerance is good, it is that one thing that allow people to stay and grow together, because if every misunderstanding and argument should lead to breaking and ending a bond or friendship then none would last a month talkess of a week. But then again, there is a limit to what one should tolerate, you don't need to keep bending till you break, you don't need to accept some sort of disrespect in the name of......you know, and you don't have to always keep quiet.
During my days in the higher institution, I had a very close friend of mine whom we shared almost everything together, we go to class together, we eat at each other's house, we studied together. As time goes on, I started noticing some difference in him, he became so involved in certain things I frown at, I tried addressing it and calling him to order, but he wouldn't have it. Well, I accepted it the way it was because I didn't want to break the bond we now share, but then it wasn't easy for me, it began affecting me, more like I need to compromise my peace anytime he's around. And that I can't seem to really do, I had to let go of our friendship, it did pain me, but then, at times, the best way to safeguard ones peace and preserve one's respect is to give distance.
Now, to the question if one can end a friendship due to difference in beliefs and ideals, well, I would say it depends on the weight of those differences, some things can be overlooked, some does not count, and some can be managed by being patient and open. But when it is at the expense of our peace, when it demands that we let go or betray our values or when it requires that we have to keep looking and just silent even at the face of harm, then it is a big yes, such friendship should end.
But that does not mean we should close our heart to everyone who had a different opinion of things or thinks differently. We all can't be same, we are all different and that is what made life worth living, that makes life more fun, imagine every other person thinks the same way as you, life would be boring. We need to grow, and growth demands that we engage with others that have different opinions and ideas. But then, engaging shouldn't come at the expense of dignity. There's the need for boundaries.
True friendship thrives on respect, differences will definitely exist, so we do not need to agree on everything, but we must respect each other enough to not turn our differences into weapons, the absence of respect is already the end of a friendship. To maintain friendship there's the need to be tolerant, open and also courageous enough to leave when it seems you are about to lose yourself.
All pictures are mine.
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