Value of Friendship

The causes of modern social problems, from divorce to homelessness and obesity, are often thought to be based in areas such as poverty, stress or unhappiness. But researchers suggest we are overlooking something crucial: friendship. It would appear that our society is ignoring its importance.

The value of friendship is something that not many people take time to ponder over and appreciate, and it may be said that we often take our friends for granted. Often we only realize the value of friendship when we find ourselves in need of a friend: when we are confined with problems and need a shoulder to rely on and to get advice for our complicated issues.

If we find ourselves to have lost a close friend we understand what we have truly lost, and understand the importance of friendship in our lives. We have many people entering our lives, some for a short time, others longer, each on a varying scale of personal relationships from associations to intimate love and marriage. We form a bond of true friendship with only a select few, those that move with us through the stages of our lives.

Friendship comprises of many human values such as sympathy, mutual understanding and compassion, but above all it is about honesty, trust and love with a degree of intimacy. Friendship is undoubtedly a central part of our lives, due to the concerns we have for our friends and also because our friends can shape who        we are as a person. Most of the times we need friends for companionship, conversations and laughter, but the real virtue of friendship lies in the support that we get from our friends, and the concern that they show.

There are many things we value about friendship; aspects that can be seen from the outside such as spending time together and doing activities together. But the values in friendship, the intrinsic values, are what make friendships a core part of an individual and his personality. 

There can be many more reasons why our friends are so dear to us and why their friendship is so precious. Friends fight for us when we are insulted, defend us in front of the world and pray alongside us in difficult times. But as important as it is to have friends, equally important is to know how to maintain them. The seeds of friendship need to be sowed deep and the plant needs to be carefully and tenderly nurtured to bear a great fruit.

Friendship is one of the most beautiful and fragile relationships in the world. Our friends are our pillars of strength and give us the much needed support and comfort that we all seek in life. 

Students' Oxygen movement view

05/08/2012