A true friend is consistently willing to put your happiness before your friendship. It's said that "good advice grates on the ear," but a true friend won't refrain from telling you something you don't want to hear, something that may even risk fracturing the friendship, if hearing it lies in your best interest. A true friend will not lack the mercy to correct you when you're wrong. A true friend will confront you with your drinking problem as quickly as inform you about a malignant-looking skin lesion on your back that you can't see yourself.This probably ties us closer to our friends than many would like to admit. When our interests diverge and we can find nothing to enjoy jointly, time spent together tends to rapidly diminish. Not that we can't still care deeply about friends with whom we no longer share common interests, but it's probably uncommon for such friends to interact on a regular basis.
The real meaning of friendship is companionship. It's to find someone that can accompany you and cheer you up when you are down. Friends are there to make sure you never get hurt, and to stand up for you. A true friend listens to all of your problems, without judging you, or making fun of you. They stick with you through thick and thin. They stay honest and avoid lying to you. They offer help when you need it, and are there when you need them most. True friends avoid bullying you and/or harassing you. They encourage you to pull through, no matter how hard your situation is. They're one of the reasons you live. They remind you that you're worth so much more than you think.
