Random Thought 112 - What is a Friend?

The title does not need an eloquent person  nor a smartest mind to deliver the right answer.  Anyone can actually give his view of what a friend is.

A friend is someone whom we can share our best kept secrets and always extend his arms to welcome and support us.  A friend is someone whom we can just be ourselves and have fun most of the time.  A friend offers his shoulders to cry on and cheer us with the ups and downs of life.  A friend shares his concern and reminds us of our shortcomings and faults with the best intentions in mind.  A friend shares himself like we are a part of him.  In short, a friend is a family.

Between friends, there are unwritten rules and behaviors that govern the relationship.  Through time, the parties concerned become flexible as long as the bond is mutually acceptable.  Friends adhere to the idea of love, support, and respect.

The moment we embrace someone to become our friend, it is a given fact that we like the person.  Regardless of what is there to like in that person, the time when we accept him as our friend, we also accept everything in him and about him.  Though we don't tolerate any wrongdoings, as a friend, we are there to offer him some perspective for him to consider.  Since we don't have any criteria with regard to the appearance of our friend, all his physical flaws are not part of the equation.

There are certain times when the mood is light and there's a room for fun.  During these times, friends can just go crazy and have fun with one another.  At times, even hitting someone below the belt is part of fun among friends.  Of course, there are always some limitations.

 Between friends, the word respect should never be forgotten.  Because respect makes it possible for friends to stick together.  Respect acknowledges that we just can't let our horses run wild at the expense of our friend.  We have to consider that everyday is not a Sunday and we just can't go on hitting our friend with his flaws and make fun of it most of the time.

You can be a good friend.  But when you always hit your "friend" and you always remind him of his flaws and make fun of him, what kind of friend are you?  Or are you really a friend?  If it is an everyday scenario, don't you think that you have already crossed the line and you run out of respect?  Don't you know that when you do hit him, his self-esteem is getting low?  What kind of friend are you when you embarrass your "friend" all the time?  Are you worth keeping for as a friend?