What Wikipedia Can’t Tell You about Friends and Friendship

by Rhea Vitto Tabora

How do you know when someone is going to be a friend, and will stick with you for life?

We have read so many definitions, sayings, and quotes about friendship. But not even Wikipedia can give us a perfect definition of this ingredient to living a happy life.

Here is my best try:  

1. Friendship is defined by moments shared. Not even the most sublime adjective in the dictionary can elucidate a beautiful friendship. Only moments shared can describe it perfectly.

2. The only way to have a great friend is to be one. It is not easy to have a true, loyal friend. If you want to have one, then be one to someone.

3. Sometimes, friendship needs no words. Whenever your friend is going through an ordeal, you don’t have to say a word about it, not until he or she is ready.

Friendship is when you can understand each other even without words. You understand each other’s silence. And a tight hug is enough comfort because a simple hug is worth a thousand words.

4. Friendship knows no communication gap. It doesn’t matter whether you last got in touch with your friend last month, last year or a couple of years ago. Real friends can talk to each other as if their last conversation was just yesterday. I lost touch with my high school best friend for years. When we got reconnected, our friendship remains unscathed.

5. Friends don’t get jealous. Did you just achieve something? A friend will be genuinely happy about it. You cannot call someone a friend if he or she is just pretending to be happy but is envious deep inside. A real friend rejoices with your accomplishments.   

6. A real friend doesn’t judge but listens instead. Have you got a problem? Are you stuck with something? Did you just do something horrible or embarrassing? Nope, a true friend won’t judge you. With open arms and listening ears, he or she will do nothing but lift you up.  

7. Genuine friends will always be there for you, no matter what. True friendship is all about loyalty. You can’t be separated by a gossip, trouble, or even geography.

8. Distance doesn’t matter. Your best friend may be sitting on the other side of the globe, thousands of miles away. So what? Friendship knows no distance. True friends are never really far from each other. Especially in this age of modern technology.

9. Friendship is forever. Have you given up on something? Given up anyone? Not a friend. He or she will be with you until the very end. Even when – or especially when – the whole world has turned its back on you.

10. “Friendship is the only cement that will hold the world together.” I read this statement on the internet, but the author was unknown. It is a very meaningful comment about friendship. Genuine friends don’t make war. Imagine what a beautiful place this world could have been.

How about you? What is your definition of friendship? Have you found a genuine friend?

Leave a comment below and if you agree with the contents of this article, why not share it with your true friends :) 

8 Ideas You Can Steal from a Coffee Maker

by Rhea Vitto Tabora

What can be lovelier than waking up to the aroma of a freshly brewed coffee? If you are a coffee aficionado, then you know that the smell of coffee works better than an alarm clock. And if your life revolves around deadlines, then a cup of coffee is your lifeline. You drink too much that it is you who makes the coffee nervous.

I recently wrote a product description of a popular coffee maker brand and while writing the copy, I realized that we, human beings, can steal ideas from a coffee machine. We don’t necessarily have to be a coffee drinker to take these ideas:

1. Brew fast.
There are happenings in life when you need to be swift, or life will eat you alive. Act fast, or you will lose out to the competition.

2. Make great-tasting coffee.
Just like the way you want it, down to the last drop. Always be the best version of yourself in everything you do.

3. Keep it hot.
Keep the passion, the momentum, and the love alive. This attitude will keep you motivated in your life journey.

4. Make noise while brewing.
I don’t mean bragging things when you achieve something. I mean focusing on your stuff and do everything in your power to accomplish your goal.

5. Embrace a well-designed body.
A well-engineered coffee machine has no design flaw. The simple yet awesome spout ensures that you will not worry about spilling when pouring your coffee. You can do the same for your physical health to ensure all your body parts work well and in good condition. Take care of your body. You can also mold your character and attitude to be positive too. It’s good not to be messy.

6. Be available always.
A dependable coffee maker is perfect for someone who loves to savor a good cup of coffee at any time of the day. A friend, a mom, a dad, a sibling is available anytime, even during busy times, to lend a shoulder, to give a hug, or to simply crack a joke.

7. Have a pause function.
Many coffee makers come with this special feature. More than machines, human beings need to give themselves a break. If you don’t want to blow your mind, take a pause.

8. Live a purposeful life.
Have you spent time alone in your favorite coffee shop, watching people pass by or reading a book? Or catching up with friends whom you haven’t seen in months? Or meeting up with business partners and colleagues to discuss new ventures? Or simply getting together for a coffee break? Either in a coffee shop, office pantry or at home, a cup of coffee has touched many lives. And a coffee maker has produced thousand cups of coffee. Don’t you agree a coffee maker is an awesome communication device? Touch many lives and live a purposeful life.

But remember, it is not just the coffee maker which delivers you good quality coffee. A good cup of coffee also depends a lot on the quality of the beans and the quality of the water you use. No man’s an island, remember? So connecting with people and the community is necessary to have a best-tasting life.

How about you? Have you thought of something you can take with you in your encounters with a coffee maker? A bittersweet experience perhaps? Leave a comment below and help me improve this list :)