What is friendship to you...

I have asked myself this question before: What is friendship to me?

Well, I have discovered many types of friendships in my life.

• Controlling friendships: Those friendships that want you to share the same beliefs, opinions, and values as they have. These are the jealous friendships that get jealous over "you being you."


• One-sided friendships: Those friendships where one person doesn't truly listen or understand the other. An example, "A friend who listens to your story only so he/she can find room to talk about themselves."


• Two sided friendships: Where both parties in the friendship feel heard, understood, and equal to each other.


• Supportive friendships: Are those friendships that are there to help you through the good and bad times.


• Friendships that allow you to be who you are: These friendships are a combination of the "two-sided" and "supportive" friendships, but much more than that. These are the "gems" in your life. Nobody can take their place and there is something about the connection the two of you share.

When you begin honoring yourself, you will no longer allow friends to manipulate, criticize, downgrade, or control you in anyway. You will also recognize if you are being that manipulative, critical friend.

You will begin expressing your true feelings, which your friend will either respect or disrespect. If your friend disrespects these feelings, the friendship will end. And if you are not aware that you may be the critical friend, then the friendship may also end as well.

You will also no longer accept any sort of abuse from your friendships, because you don't abuse yourself. You are honest with your feelings and value yourself.

Check out friendship problems to understand why you have friendship issues.

Continually ask yourself "What is friendship to me?" This question will bring insight into your life about what's working and what's not. Understand that you deserve the best friendships that will honor and respect who you are.