FRIENDS

The above title refers to those  we cherish so much so that before we make some pressing decisions we always consult them first and sometimes putting our families very far.

Before taking this further, let's see some definitions of who friends are, the roles they're supposed to play and in the long run why you should keep one or runaway from one. 

So the Advanced English Dictionary has these things to say about "Friend (s)"

•A person you know well and regard with affection and trust.

•An associate who provides cooperation and assistance.

•A person with whom you are acquainted.

•A person who backs a Politician or a team. 

Going through the definitions we've gotten so far, the very first thing to cross our minds is the fact that before someone is called a friend, he or she must possess certain qualities and characteristics. These qualities and characteristics are the potential factors that builds and strengthen the bond of friendship. 

Before considering some of these factors, I'll still have to state this fact here that friends wield so much power and influence in our lives and not just only, but in various organizations and places of decision making where we find ourselves.

The first green light to be considered before one is termed a "friend" is trust.

Inasmuch as I am concerned and the world in general, never have I seen any two work together without trust having to be the major glue between them. Even the Bible asked an important question when the subject matter of friendship was discussed. Can two work together except they agree? 

We may want to hightail from telling ourselves the truth that people cannot come together under the bond of friendship without trust. 

In organizations, the level of trust earned is what guarantee your promotion or demotion. 

There's no two ways about it. You'll have to work your way into being accepted as a friend. Obedience to the ethics of your job is what grants you the pass to be seen as a friend of the organization. 

You see, friendship is earned and not given.

It baffles me when those that lacks these qualities want friendship at all cost. It doesn't work that way. "Chillax!"

Trust is one of those abstract entity that once it is broken, can never be repaired. Trust can be so expensive and indeed it is.

While affection is another factor that determine who we tag as friends, it's pertinent to note that it doesn't stand out as the "Maxime momemti". 

Naturally, affection was introduced to be the aiding factor towards realizing or reaching the agreement of who is worth the place of a friend in our lives. But as it stands, affection has been abused and it's worth mentioning that we no longer accept friends based on the concept of affection rather, trust first. 

Coincidentally, a heroic deed can earn someone a friendship status, though it might last only for a moment.

Another big factor that can determine who a friend is is the level of assistance and cooperation one enjoys from their friends.

An assistance rendered to even a stranger can earn anyone the place of a friend. There's need to remind us once more that, assistance like affection is an unimaginable tool to attract friendship.

It's always a happy moment when parasitic individuals lost their position in the lives of their host. No one is ever willing to continually inhabit someone who contribute nothing to his or her well-being.

Why those who want you to succeed never see your growth as an intimidation, others even go to the extent of tagging you proud. Yes, such fake friends exist.

 Enemies disguised as friends are easily identifiable. They make the silliest comment over matters not worth such statements and immediately one begins to wonder what they truly are made of. They have no common ground in choice making. Today they're here, tomorrow they'd be over the other end. 

You really need to get acquainted with an individual before they become your friends.

Sometimes the only best friends we have are our family members. Getting used to their abnormalities is one key indication to denote their place in your life. 

Any friend who is never happy with your progress in life, is capable of setting traps aimed towards ruining you. Run away from such friends. 

It is for your best interest to avoid people who always have one or two negative observation to give whenever you want their advice on something at stake. It shows they'll rather see you not to progress than for they to be the reason you did. 

The worst of them are those who at the slightest provocation, make reference to how they offered you assistance, how ungrateful you are and "blablabla". Those are opportunists who only live to get back from those they helped. The assistance they rendered wasn't done out of freewill, neither will they pretend over it.

Friends should stand for each other at all cost. 

Who is your friend?