Week 292 / The Value of Friendship

Many interpreters have sung about friendship: Montserrat Caballé and Freddie Mercury, Roberto Carlos, Miguel Bosé, and many more.

Friendship is one of the purest and most transformative human bonds we can experience. It is not born of blood or duty, but from the mutual, free choice to recognize in another human being a companion for life's journey. Its value lies not in what it can give us materially, but in what it contributes to our essence: a sense of belonging, personal growth, and a deep feeling of being seen and accepted—with both strengths and flaws.

When can we say we have a friend?

A friend is not simply an acquaintance with whom we share pleasant moments or common interests. We can say we have a true friend when:

Trust is established without reservation: When we can show our vulnerability without fear of judgment, knowing that our secrets, dreams, and fears are safe.

1. Reciprocity is natural: The relationship does not depend on a constant, calculated "give and take," but on an organic flow of mutual support.
2. Time and distance do not erode the bond: Weeks or months may pass without contact, but upon reuniting, the connection remains intact.
3. There is unconditional acceptance: They accept us for who we are, not for who we could or should be. They celebrate our triumphs without envy and support us in our falls without disdain.
4. Honesty prevails over comfort: A friend tells us what we need to hear, not just what we want to hear, even if that involves moments of discomfort.

Actions of a Good Friendship

True friendship manifests in concrete and consistent gestures:

· Active listening and genuine presence: Offering full attention, without distractions, validating the other's emotions.
· Unconditional support in critical moments: Being present in crises, not just in celebrations.
· Celebrating the other's achievements with authentic joy: Experiencing their success as if it were our own.
· Respecting boundaries and individuality: Understanding that friendship is not possession and that each person has their own path.
· Forgiving and repairing: Acknowledging mistakes, apologizing sincerely, and working to heal wounds when conflicts arise.
· Investing time and effort: Friendship requires constant cultivation, especially when life gets complicated.
· Being an honest mirror: Helping the other see themselves clearly, highlighting both their virtues and their blind spots.

In an increasingly fast-paced world, digitally connected yet emotionally distant, cultivating authentic friendships becomes a revolutionary act of preserving our humanity. True friendship is a safe harbor in the storm, a mirror that reflects our best selves, and living proof that we are not alone on this journey. As C.S. Lewis wrote: "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'" In that mutual recognition lies the everyday miracle of friendship.

Note: I have used the DeepL Translate translator.
The photos are my own, taken with my Samsung J2 phone.