Thursday, July 26, 2012

What Makes a Best Friend?

I was on the way home last night, listening to some wee-hours-of-the-morning bizarro radio program.

This woman called in and was talking about her best friend, who was a male and whom she had had relations with while he had a girlfriend, but then he cheated on both of them and lead three women on/manipulated them for 7 months before sitting all three of them down together and picking one.  I suppose this was the Jerry Springer of radio? 

The host asked her, "What made him your best friend?" 

Her response, "He knew everything about me."


I don't need to tell all of you what you already know, but the host then lambasted her with a piece of reality about how a best friend would not treat you that way.

My mind got to wondering, "Why did this woman think this awful man was her best friend?"

So many people think that the proverbial magical wand of "they know everything about me" waves and *presto* the title of best friends is bestowed. 

Knowledge about intimate details of your life does not a best friend make. 

Too many people crave companionship to a detrimental extent.  Too many people willingly divulge their deepest secrets, emotions, and life details to anyone who is willing to listen.  But does the listener even care or want to know this information?  Is the listener worthy of your trust simply because they listen?  I hate to say this, but I think some folks all-too-willingly get trapped in bad situations because they give and let others take.

Real best friends are reciprocal.  Real best friends may not necessarily know everything about each other as far as details go, but know everything about each others' hearts. 

There is not a soul on this planet who knows everything about me, but I can gaurantee there are many people who know me.  They know how I will treat people, how I will react, why I am who I am, what makes me smile...you get the point.  Never once have I looked at one of my best friends and thought, "I can't believe they did that to me."

Choose your friends to keep you emotionally healthy the same way you choose your fitness and diet regime to keep you physically healthy.  Don't waste time on the Cheetos that may make you feel good for a moment.  Hold out for the enriching, wholesome things that will make you better in the long run.  Just like the gym with your physical health, you have to stretch yourself and push yourself to the very edge of comfort and sanity...but it is always, always worth it.  Be patient.  You will find those who love you and they will change you for good forever. 


3 comments:

Janae said...

I needed this. Thanks.

Justina said...

I agree with this 100%. Thanks for sharing this. :)

Shayla said...

Amen and amen.