There is a lot you will need in life to succeed

One of those rare gems is that of true friendship.

But you must make sure they are true friends.

True friends provide the pillars of support you need to stand strong during the toughest storm.

However,

“Sometimes my vision is a little hazy.

I can’t tell who I should trust or just who I let trust me.

What about your friends.

Will they stand their ground

Will they let you down again

What about your friends are they gonna be low down

Will they ever be around or will the turn their backs on you? –TLC

What about your friends?

“True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils.” -Baltasar Gracian

Do you have someone on your side that you can confide in?

Do you have someone who will spot you when the weight gets a little heavy?

Do you  have someone who will extend a hand when you have fallen in a pit of despair?

Someone, who will help you sew back together the pieces of the tattered cloth of life when its been rended by pain and hurt

Not everyone who surrounds you or claims such a title are deserving of so.

Remember, Ceaser was robbed of life by his dearest friend

“Et Tu Brute?” To mean and you Brutus

My great-aunt had a saying “Friends are few and far between”

Many so called friends are merely posers who have ingratiated themselves in your life for their means.

It is only by examination can one be found to be true or inauthentic.

Let us begin

Traits you may recognize

There are some who are back stabbers

• They are cordial to a point.
• They are merely in your presence for superficial means.
• They are deeply envious.
• When given the opportunity, they will inflict undue pain upon your persons.
• At their center they are selfish; and they want what you have.

“They smile in your face

All the time want to take your place.”

Backstabbers. – The O’Jay’s

Talebearers

There are some who are expert weavers of tales.

One may refer to them as gossipers.

• They are only looking for good stories.
• There is nothing sacred to such.
• Your life and its experience is material.
• They are not trustworthy and they are not loyal.
• You are a means to an end.

Perhaps, they cannot help it.

Beware, of who you confide in.

Beware, of who confides in you the secrets of others.

If they will expose the secrets of others for so small a price, they will do the same of  you.

Two-faced

There are some that are duplicitous in nature.

Their true intent is always hidden behind a facade.

This is what many refer to as two-faced.

The face they show you, and the face they show to others is never the same.

Remember, integrity is when actions align with words.

Hater/Negative Nelly

There are haters.

• They thrive off negativity.
• The  misery of others bring them satisfaction.
• They are sly and snide.
• They may appear to be great to you; but they carry around a spirit of insufficiency and lack
• They hate everything outside of themselves and their circle.

If you have a friend that thrives off negativity, release them.

Their negativity can and will rub off on you.

The Consumer

There are  some who are Piranha’s.

• You are their ends.
• You are their meal ticket.
• They always need something from you, but have nothing to give in return.
• They feed off your generosity.
• They will consume you to get what they want.
• They will bleed you dry.

The dependent

There is the leech.

• The leech is highly dependent and has an unhealthy attachment to you.
• They feed off your emotionalism.
• They don’t recognize boundaries.
• They have expectations that are extremely high.
• They expect you to always be there when they are in need, and for you to come to their aide at a drop of hat.
• They will make you feel less than a person for not.

The Beauty

There is the Debutante or Rico Suave, also known as Mr. Debonair.

To them, you are their ugly duckling.

Your friendship is one of toleration.

They hang with you just under the assumption that you are lesser than them and make them look good.

Remember,

The socialite

• Your position is the basis for your relationship.
• Outside of work you have no commonalities.
• If you were to lose your position, you would lose your attachment.

There is the apparition.

• By all practical purposes they don’t exist.
• Secretly, they have no concern for you.
• You are their last resort, when there is no one else they can call they call you
• If you see them in  public, when around others, they will not acknowledge your existence or your friendship
•  Later  they will apologize profusely for their oversight.

True friend

• Has no expectations.
• Push you to be better
• Happy for your achievements.
• Loveth at all times even when you seem un-lovable.
• No underlying agenda.
• You don’t complete them; and they don’t complete you. They complement you.
• They know when to give you space, but remain available.
• They are loyal, trustworthy, earnest, and honest.

What about your friends?

Do they fit the definition of true friends, or are they only friend by name.
If not true you must cut them loose.

Who you associate with does as much to define you, as you do with your own words.

“Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island…to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing”- Baltasar Gracian

But make sure they are true.