Friendship matters – Traits of a healthy friendship

True friends like gems are hard to find.
A true friend is dependable and trust worthy.
Becoming a mom,my mom friends have been a real treasure .
Hanging out with them or catching up with them over the phone,even though the minutes be few, has always made a positive impact on my day.
A healthy dose of criticism and encouragement goes a long way.
So here are few self examining thoughts that you can use to identify an invaluable friendship:

1.Does your friend make you feel insecure?
Do you feel insecure after certain phone calls,then it is high time to examine those relationships.
A good friends criticism will never leave you feeling insecure.
The criticism of a true friend sharpens character.It fortifies us towards a corrected and strong self.

Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

2.Identify your friends Characteristics:
Being a friend of a grumbler can lead you to become a grumbler.
So it is important to chose your friends wisely.

Proverbs 13:20a
He who walks with wise men will be wise,

3.Don’t believe in changing people.
People are made the way they are.
Good intentions to change a person/friend could sometimes lead to disastrous results if we are not careful enough.
No wonder the age old proverb “one rotten apple spoils a whole bushel”,seems to be a most quoted one.
Continuous exposure to negative and pessimistic thoughts can lead your thought process to become negative and pessimistic.

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

4.Be the Friend you want to have:
What are things you seek in a friend?
If you expect to be loyal,be loyal yourself.
If you expect to be sacrificial ,be sacrificial yourself.
It all starts with us.
People are like mirrors we see in them what they first see in us.

1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.

5.Does your friend bring out the best in you?
My friend from my previous job, was and is ,one of my favorite friend,she is extremely intelligent and wise.
I have learnt many management tricks and wise usage of resources.
I have seen this friend wisely spend money.
This friend inspired and instilled these characters in me.
A good friend can be an invaluable asset.

Proverbs 27:9
Oil and perfume make the heart glad, So a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend.