We are in the world where true friendship is so scarce even more than gold. A world where we care and value material things than we value friendship. A world where we use people rather than using things.

That’s why I won’t blame anyone if they decide not to have any friend because it’s good not to have at all than having the bad or so called fake ones.

However, the importance of making friends or having a friend in our lives can’t be overemphasize. This world is full of its own pressure and been so rigid to accept a friendship proposal isn’t the best way to approach it.

That’s why I’ve compiled some common traits, habits, and personality I’ve learnt to value most in friendship.

Whenever I see these things in people, I don’t doubt their genuineness because they are rare values that isn’t common in our age.

1. Honesty

Honesty is one of the most important determinant of a benefitting and positive friendship.

In a simple term, the word Honesty which can also be called truthfulness is a level of moral and character that describe positive and virtuous attributes which includes integrity, truthfulness, straightforwardness and most importantly,  the absence of lying, cheating or theft.

According to a popular saying by John Lennon,

Being honest may not get you a lot of friends but it’ll always get you the right ones.”

This shows that if you really want to have friends that are honest and truthful, you must also be the same.

It’s undisputed that Healthy and mature friendships are built on honesty, and these friendships continue to grow only if the friends stay true to each other.

 Friends should be able to interact and speak openly from the heart without hiding any truth.

Cultivating honesty in ourselves is a task we must all do and this can be achieved by trying as much as possible to be honest with our friends, rather than trying to comfort them with a lie.

 To me, this is the most valuable thing I treasure so much in friendship.

2. Loyalty

Loyalty is the second attributes and character that I cherish so much in friendship.

Loyalty which can also be used as the word allegiance is the act of been honest and true to a cause, relationship or friendship.

This literally means choosing a side over others now and forever.

Having friends who are loyal to you makes you feel more secure and protected than anything because it’s like walking a journey with people of like minds.

As the most wisest man in that bible writes, he said, There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” — Proverbs 18:24 NLT

No matter the things we are passing through or how tough times may get having a set of loyal friends or just a single one on our side makes challenges seem less daring.

Having a loyal friend will require you become one too because only loyal people attracts loyal people.

Also Check Out: THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE.

3. Respect

Respect which can also be called esteem, is a positive feeling passed to someone through action shown, word said or displayed. It means the person been shown respect is important and valuable to us.

This is another thing I value in friendship so much.

Friendship should be full of respect and esteem. We should all learn to admire each other’s effort by giving the right feeling for motivation and development.

When it comes to the way we address each other also, we should apply respect as we aren’t family by blood which means there can be little or big gap in age or status. All communication should be passed with respect.

4. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to feel or understand what other people are experiencing and feeling within their own frame of reference.

This means putting yourself in their shoe to help them in your own little ways.

According to E.H Mayoli,

“One friend, one person who is truly understanding, who takes the trouble to listen to us as we consider a problem, can change our whole outlook on the world.”

You must recognize how your friend is feeling in a particular stage of their life, this will help you interact and respond accordingly.

Having a friend with this trait will help us in difficult times. Only with empathy can we be able to help our friend through the tough situations they might be going through.

Conclusion

One thing we must understand is that we attract what we are. If you have any of this trait, you will easily find friends with same attributes and this will help your journey but if you are the type that is finding it difficult to exhibit these traits, you should try as much as possible to develop them.