Friendship earned and retained.....

The other day I met an old acquaintance of mine and got chatting old times.

It was real fun discussing friendship and various common friends which my acquaintance had conveniently forgotten or lost touch with.

Are you still in touch with those old friends? She asked me. Yes! I said.

''Oh God!!! How do you manage to do it? Friendship is one relation which is so difficult to maintain. Especially with classmates who were with us in our school and college. It’s so long back” she said. How did you go about it? She asked me.

Well I said, "Friendship is not free; it must be earned". We have to work on all relationships and friendship is no different.

Encourage others to talk about themselves and when you talk, talk in the interest ranges of things that people treasure most. That way like minded friends come closer on common grounds.

Sometimes friends can be so overwhelming said Neha. Yeah! I said. Please do respect other people's good judgment and avoid arguments. That’s a sure way to retain good friends for sure. In fact never tell anyone they are wrong. We all will rationalize to the point of thinking we are unequivocally right.

Well some of my friends are so critical. I almost cringe, said Neha.

I know I said. Make it a point to criticize ourselves before other people have a chance to; and if you are wrong on an issue and you know it then admit it.

Always tread softly into the path of friendship, you will go farther, I said.

Neha make it a point to let you friends feel; as though they have excelled you at some time or another.

Be a good listener. Many friends want to tell us a lot. I'm a good listener Neha. This is one reason why I have managed to retain literally all my friends since childhood.

Well this all seems one sided isn’t it? That means your friends may be taking you for granted. Isn’t it??? Asked Neha.

Well I do call attention to their mistakes circuitously and I don’t broadcast. I do challenge others to do something better but I never force them. Moreover I do it with a lot of love and care.

Friends to me are very dear and their well being and comfort in my presence is of utmost importance. Probably this is one big reason why I have managed to be in touch with lots of friends.

Hope and pray all my friends remain happy, prosperous and we do remain in touch for years to come. God bless them all.