We all love to be in the company of friends who genuinely love and care for us. In fact, at many points in life, it is friendship that keeps us going. From having our backs to being emotionally available for us, a good friend doesn’t simply come and go; they come and stay in our hearts forever.
But what makes a good friend?
The qualities of a good friend aren’t limited to their approachability and sensibility. It is much more than that. If I ask you how many friends are you really connected with, will you give me the names of all friends you knew of in your academics/job/gym/social media? Absolutely not! It’s because you could not stay in touch with all of them for some or other reason. But if you dig deeper, you will also know that you too didn’t keep friends with many who were left out. Before we delve into the qualities of a good friend, let's also remember that to have a good friend, we must first be a good friend to others.
Qualities of a Good Friend
Non-Judgemental
The best thing about a good friend is that you can be an open book to them and they will not judge you at all. A good friend has a patient heart and often helps us to put together our life puzzles. They do not take you at your face value and are not concerned about your worth as they are non-judgemental. They go beyond the words and peep into the depths of your heart. It is they who guide us in distress and motivate us to live a meaningful life.
Supportive
One of the important qualities of a good friend is they are supportive of your choices and decisions in life. They silently pray for your success and are trustworthy. Even as they support you, they share their opinions subtly without influencing your decisions but giving you another perspective. You can rely on them to accept you without conditions.
Great Listener
A good friend patiently listens to your concerns, gives you the benefit of the doubt, and also gives an informed opinion. They not only listen to your issues or silliness but also listen to your dreams, aspirations, goals, etc. They are genuine to your face and your back. Making a relationship work with a good friend may not be all rosy (you will have your share of fights), but you know they will always be there for you.
“When you go to a friend with a problem and if you walk away from them feeling lighter, then they are a good friend.”
-Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Helping Nature
A good friend is compassionate and always extends help before you ask them. Your confidence in them makes you depend on them when necessity prevails. They provide you mental peace by understanding your needs and do not shy away from offering their help again and again. A good friend shares your load and makes you feel lighter and happy.
Communicator
One of the qualities of good friends that is rarely spoken of is that they are great at effective communication. They may not make it obvious but somehow, they will keep in touch with you. They know you well and convey things very well, making you feel comfortable so that you can be yourself around them. It is very rare that they hold grudges or let misunderstandings creep into the friendship.
Learn how to make and sustain true friends?
Good sense of humour
You might have a good friend who has a great sense of humour. Not only do they use it to neutralise any challenging time for you but also fill your moments with laughter. They help you see things from a lighter perspective and teach you not to get too serious with life.
Encouraging
A good friend encourages you to become the best version of yourself. Even when you do something with the slightest of your talent, you will find them supporting and cheering you on. They somehow turn protective of you and keep you away from stress and depression. Their innate quality in seeing the best for you also makes them your best critic that eventually helps you improve on yourself.
“To come out of loneliness, you make friends but coming together in knowledge is rare. Be a friend in knowledge and uplift each other.”
-Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Practical
A good friend does not make you believe in something that will never be true. They are encouraging and affirmative but also extremely practical. Sometimes, such friends remind us of our goals and purpose in life.
“We must interact with everyone around us but at the same time be centred from within. When we are centred, then we will not feel sad, angry, or possessive.”
-Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Give value
One of the qualities of a good friend is that they value you, your time, your people, and everything related to you. They understand your worth and uplift you when you feel down. They do not take you for granted and respect you for who you are and what you believe in.
“When you recognize the ego of others, it will get into you, and you will walk like a mouse. Walk like a lion, and be happy. Don’t frown, or roar like a lion, just smile and feel like a lion inside.
-Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Forgiving
Good friends are forgiving in nature. They do not hold on to grudges and see beneath your actions. Their love and respect for you keeps the friendship nurturing and honest.
If you have good friends, keep them because when you cultivate goodness by being good and having good people around you, you make a civilization of good people. Humanity sustains in such goodness. Being kind, helping, forgiving and honest takes nothing from us but builds responsible humanity, where more people are givers than takers.
“If your time is right, even enemies behave like friends and if time is not on your side, then even good friends turn their back on you. Hence, don’t try to choose good friends, but be friendly to all from your side.”
-Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Sudarshan Kriya is an effective self-discovering program that helps you in improving your existing relationships as well as making new friends. Join us to know about it and live your life with purpose and joy.
Frequently Asked Questions on Friendships
A good friend becomes our support, increases happiness, and shares life’s journey. They make life so easy to live by helping us boost our confidence and balance our emotions.
Approach people with the right mindset, attempt to understand and encourage them and offer help without expectations..
Trust, support and loyalty are some qualities that save a friendship and sustain it over time.
