by Mauricio A | May 23, 2021 | What is the mark of a 'best friend'?
“The term “BEST FRIENDS” has gotten a bit romanticized. But basically, a best friend is a person who cares about your well being. One who respects you and is willing to spend time (a major resource) to help you if you need it and be there for you both in the good and the bad times. Quantity spent together is in fact not a necessity. The reason why people say “the person who you spend time the most” is because they are using the misconception that spending a lot of time with people will automatically make you best friends with them. Which is not necessarily true, although it is not hard to assume that you might want to spend time with people who respect you.
The quality of connection can be very subjective and although time can be a somewhat safe factor, the real way to know is if the other person likes you is if they respect you. I have for example best friends that due to everyday life I do not see often (6 months or more) but I know that if I called (or if they called me) at 3:00am for help, we would be there for each other.
It has been said before that “a best friend” is a relationship without the romantic love.”
by Shoshana F | May 23, 2021 | What is the mark of a 'best friend'?
“Who would we be without our friends? From an early age, friends teach us the ropes, giving us the building blocks to learn how to give, love and face life’s ups and downs. The United Nations recognizes the importance of friendship and proclaimed July 30 as International Friendship Day, highlighting friendships as a way to bridge differences and bring about more peace in the world. Take a moment to celebrate your friends both near and far by exploring the eight defining characteristics of what being and having a best friend really means.
1. TELEPATHY
Your best friend has the uncanny ability to read your mind before the words pop out of your mouth. Just by exchanging a glance, you both know exactly what the other is thinking.
2. HONESTY
Whether you have a piece of broccoli stuck in your teeth or you are about to embark on a major life decision, your best friend is there to give you their real opinion. While sometimes it can seem a bit harsh or they may even disagree with your choices, your best friend won’t hide their views – especially if they think it’s in your best interest.
3. HUMOR
Rolling on the floor laughing till your stomach hurts doesn’t happen with just anyone. Best friends know exactly what will trigger a belly-aching laugh, and between the personal jokes and shared experiences, your bestie knows how to tickle your funny bone. 
Your best friend thinks you’re hilarious. (CREATISTA /Shutterstock.com)
4. EMPATHY
Your best friend can actually feel what you are going through – because they have been there before. Or, they simply relate to you on such a deep level that they can profoundly understand what you are experiencing.
5. GENEROSITY
Giving is something that comes naturally between best friends, with each person willing to share what they have with the other. A true friendship has boundaries, but abundance is key. No tabs are kept on who gives and who receives, creating a flow of sharing and caring between you both.
6. TRUST
Secrets, fears and deep thoughts are just some of the things you freely share with your best friend – because you know that what you say remains in the vault. Your best friend would never use your private information against you or to hurt you in any way.
One of the people you trust most in your life. (Ilike / Shutterstock.com)
7. ENCOURAGEMENT
Your bestie thinks that you are awesome and is there to give you a boost when you are feeling low. As your personal cheerleader, your best friend reminds you of how many great things you have to offer the world, always focusing on your positive attributes that make you shine.
8. STEADFASTNESS
Your best friend has your back! No matter the situation, you know that when you need your friend to be there for you, they are present without fail. As James Taylor and Carole King sing:
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there
Yes I will
You’ve got a friend…”
by Barton G | May 23, 2021 | What is the mark of a 'best friend'?
“When we are young, we seem to have no shortage of “best friends.” As we mature, however, the nature of our friendships changes. Having or being a best friend is no longer as simple as labeling someone our BFF and having them reciprocate.
Other more important factors come into play, including:
- Being emotionally supportive. This is probably the most important element of any adult friendship. Best friends refrain from unnecessarily criticizing each other and tend to be nonjudgmental.
- A best friend will listen to you and thoughtfully respond rather than react to what you’ve said even if you have triggered something in him or her. The ability to hear what another is truly saying is one of the best parts of friendship.
- Best friends go out of their way for the people they care about, and it feels good to both parties. You can tell who your real friends are when you need help with a move or a ride to the airport.
- Thoughtfulness is a quality that deepens and strengthens any friendship. Being able to see someone else’s needs—and to do what you can to fulfill those needs—enables bonding experiences. Our best friends do things for us no one else would think of.
- Reliability. When you know you can call on your best friend to bail you out of a jam, 24/7, it makes you feel better and increases your overall confidence.
- Best friends accept you and all your flaws. They don’t expect perfection. When you aren’t at your best, they are understanding rather than critical. If you’re having a bad day, someone who cares for you will ask if they can help or if they should let you be alone if that’s what you need.
- A friend once gave me a cocktail napkin that said, “Friends are therapists you can drink with.” A good friendship is indeed therapeutic, though a good friend is not the same as a drinking buddy.
- A strong friendship defines you both and helps each of you navigate this thing called life. Your friend is a mirror who reflects back to you who you are to them. In other words, your best qualities shine, and those pieces that need improvement are not judged but understood.
- It’s hard for some of us to cry alone. Instead, we might need a shoulder to cry on, and having a friend you feel comfortable doing that with is a gift. When facing difficulty, having someone you can really let your pain out with can be invaluable.
- Best friends have your back. Knowing you can trust another person with your well-being allows you both to explore and enjoy more new things than you would on your own.
It’s life-affirming to have a best friend to help pull you up but never put you down. You have to be willing to give as much as you want to get, but I don’t know anyone who thinks a good friendship is not worth the effort.”
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