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 :)