Sometimes I wonder if my own personal definition of "a friend" or "friendship" is actually what it is...?
I found this online... from Wikipedia the free encyclopedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page... looking up friend....

Friendship' is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more beings. This article focuses on the notion specific to interpersonal relationships. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them. Value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating the following on a consistent basis:

• the tendency to desire what is best for the other,
• sympathy and empathy,
• honesty, perhaps in situations where it may be difficult for others to speak the truth, especially in terms of pointing out the perceived faults of one's counterpart
• mutual understanding.

Its pretty accurate for what I look inside and desire out of my friendships. I think that is actually asking a lot of others... probably why I'm so frequently disappointed.

Oh well... this is just something I'm thinking about, and have been thinking about for months now. Its not really spiritual, or I hope not coming out of me as discouraged at all... I think I just have to change a little how I look at those in the world around me and change what I expect of them... and I have... and its getting better. Its sad sometimes, but its easier sometimes too. Oh well... its late... getting quite tired... and rambling... :)

September 24, 2008