Compared to other relationships which are not chosen but given to us, friendship is the result of our own individual choices

A friend in need is a friend indeed.” Most of us have read this proverb, which has stood the taste of time. When we ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most, we often find that it is those who have chosen to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. That is why friendship is considered the most valuable of all relationships. Compared to other relationships which are not chosen but given to us, friendship is the result of our own choices.

Of late, the word friendship has become a common word in the modern day world as we call everyone and anyone who comes into our contact as our friend. But one must understand that mere acquaintances cannot make a person our friend. Friendship is the coming together of equals, where even if there is a difference in abilities, roles or position, there is a vision of equality which does not create any feeling of superiority or inferiority.

A real friend is the one who stands by us through thick and thin. With them you do not have to prove yourself, for you are loved and accepted for what you are. Good times or bad, a friend is ever present, ready to share, to serve, to listen or just to be there. There is this mutual feeling of love which not only accommodates any shortcoming but actively transforms it with a word of encouragement, a smiling patience and an act of kindness.

Friendship means availability. A friend is available all the times and never gives excuses like “I do not have time”, “wait”, “later”, “don’t bother me now”, etc. However, looking at the hustle-bustle in today’s life, is it really easy and practical to have a friend who would love us unconditionally and be available all the timeIJ Does anyone today have that amount of patience and time. I don not think so. So, what is the way outIJ

It is said that trust is an alliance between two hearts which can never be broken or betrayed easily — because it dispels any fear of being misused or abandoned. The only one who can be trusted blindly is the one who is above all humans and who is available to us all the time — the Almighty himself. Yes, he is the most trustworthy of all friends. Unfortunately, very few have the fortune to experience this magical relationship with him. We call him our mother, father, beloved and teacher while we pray, but of all these relationships the one that we share with him as a friend permeates all other relationships. No doubt, he is our father, mother and teacher, but at the same time we must not forget that he is also our friend. Hence by having him as our best friend, we can experience lightness and easiness in all our relationships. So, let us rekindle this flame of friendship with him and spread the light of love and happiness all over.

The writer is a spiritual educator