How to Maintain Long Lasting Friendships

Good friends are like a tonic to soothe a tummy ache. You need friends who will share their experiences and support you when you are in a bind. But friendships, like plants, need to be nurtured and cared for or else they might die.

Here are some tips to help you maintain a long lasting friendship:

Be An Equal Contributor

Friendships cannot last if one person is giving and the other person is just taking. There has to be some balance, friendships cannot be one sided. If you are not (yet) in a position to be an equal contributor in a friendship maybe due to circumstances beyond your present control (for example, unemployment, illness, and et cetera). Always express your gratitude to your friend by letting him or her know how much you appreciate all his or her friendship. Do not let him or her feel that you taking advantage of the friendship

Be Forgiving

Always try to forgive and forget a friend's transgressions, he or she might not want to hurt you intentionally but things happen. If he or she asks for your forgiveness, do not hold back forgiveness because holding onto anger slowly destroys you too.

Listen To Your Friends And Do Not Judge

Learn to listen to your friends without passing judgment. There are times when your friend just wants you to listen to him or her and not pass judgment.

Inspire Your Friend

Be a source of inspiration to your friend, encourage him or her to excel in whatever they have chosen to do. Your friend will associate you with a feeling of joy whenever he or she sees you around.

Be Gentle When You Correct Your Friends

Never correct your friend(s) with harsh words, even if your friend made a mistake that got you angry. Count from one to ten before you speak to him or her, and you could say "I really don't appreciate what you did back there, it does not speak well of you". Shouting at him or her only puts them on the defensive.

Do Not Expect Too Much From Your Friends

Never expect too much from your friends because they are different from you and you should learn to respect and appreciate your differences. Adjust your expectations, that is, if your friends does not meet up to your expectations. Always understand that he or she is only human and is bound to slip at times.

Be Sensitive

Do not talk down your friend's other relationships, even if you do not approve of their present relationships; do not insult the person he or she loves. Make an effort to get to know and embrace the person your friend is in-love with.

Friendships are important for your mental health but some friendships are poisonous. Such friendships should be cut off. Friends that are full of hatred or jealousy should be avoided because we all want people who will be genuinely happy for us when our happy times come. If a friend always brings negative energy to a friendship, the best bet is to let him or her go.