Friends For Ever!!!

“Fate chooses our relatives, we choose our friends”,quipped Jacques Delili.As we grow up and form preferences,we develop definite idea on what should determine our friendship.
One can be good friends with one’s own parents,bros and sis.Cousins generally make up suitable friends as they belong to the family but we are not too closely related and so have objectivity and detachment.
Intelligence and good judgement is what makes a valuable friend and he is one who has interests at heart.Though rivalry and healthy competition are desirable among friends,jealousy has no place in this wonderful friendship.It does not help to have a friend who is not interested in studies or has bad habits for we are judged by the company we keep and bad habits are more contagious than deadly diseases.
Since friendship is such a cherished concept great writers have waxed eloquent about it.When friends have been timed and tested,”….grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel”,said Shakesphere.His play,Timon of Athens is a powerful story about the danger of being exploited by fair-weather friends or those who desert u in times of need.In the Merchant of Venice,Antonio not only pledges his wealth but even a pound of his flesh to help Bassanio.
Our epics and puranas too abound with stories of the true Friendship and the trap false friends can get into.

Some friendships are for a lifetime-they weather life’s strom and keep pace with moving wheels of Time.You might have heard your Father say,”When Vasu uncle and I were at college…..” now grey and balding,about the pranks played in the class or twit him about his then favourite film star.lasting friends are formed at school,continue through college and through the adult years.Sometimes they are even passed on to the next generation.

As in other spheres of life,friendship too has its golden rules.
Follow them sincerely and rewards will be great.
Choose a friend with care.
Remember the limits of sharing.
Too much sharing of material possessions can lead to friction.
Live within your means-whether it is your pocket money or later the money u can earn.Try not to borrow from friends-far more friendships have been lost that way than by any other.
Show care.Remember your friend’s birthday and send him a gift or a small card or wholehearted wishes.Better if you can make the card yourself.No gesture can touch the heart more as the time and labour spent by another in wishing u well.
Don’t hold back from a friend.The basis of friendship is openness and secretiveness is its bane.Also if your closefriend regards you quite trustworthy never spill the beans,that would be embarrassing for your friend.
Be steady in your friendship.Quality and not the number of friends you have matters.Flitting from one friend to another is not only unfulfilling but also shows you in poor light.Be wholehearted in your acceptance when your friend reaches out to you, and learn to keep an open mind.
We all have plus and minus points and just because your friend does not agree with you about something or does not live upto your expectations,it does not mean you should not give her a second or third chance in life.Remember your friend may have been disappointed with you,too because attimes there are vicissitudes in life.
We may lack material wealth and comforts,but in the company of good friends ,we can travel through life accompanied by laughter and sunshine,love and warmth.