The Friend Test

Wanna tell who is a friend and who is just a friendly person to you? Take this test

Name a person. Ask yourself if you would be on their top 5 list in these categories...if they were inviting people to an event or party would be one of the first 5 names listed? If they were in need of REAL help would you be on their top 5 list to contact? If you were in real NEED for help, would they have you on their top 5 they would go out of their way to help?

Now you are thinking in your head maybe only 3 or even 1 person that both fits that criteria and vice versa. The only difference between friends and friendly people is the ability to stretch. With friends, you will stretch for them; sometimes clear out of your comfort area. With friendly people, you will help if it does not put you out at all. Otherwise, you usually make excuses on why you cant help them. As long as these people are not harming you in any way, don't boo-hoo because they don't return your phone calls or only communicate you at social functions. Believe me there are people they want to be friends with who are also not returning the favor! I believe that all relationships are based on 2 things...priority and desire. I think facebook as a whole has given us a false view on what friends are...its so easy to communicate with people without stretching it gives us the false implication that we have more "friends" then we really have.

What about your co-workers? Aren't they your friends? Of course they are-at work! Once work ends how often do they call you about non-work related stuff? Well, co-workers stretch for each other, but only to cover their own hyde. They know that if you mess up it may make them look bad. People who are co-workers also build deep resentment for each other for this very reason. As long as you don't jeopardize their job and way of life they will give you the illusion of friendship. Wanna test this out? How many of your ex-co workers are you still in contact with that you were joined at the hip with when you worked there?

I don't write this to bum you out, but to give you a reality check as to whom your real friends are and how to treat them better. Through your life, many people will come in and out of your life, and how long your have known them does not determine how close a friend they are. Just test them using the above method and then you can weed out who are just friendly, and who are friends!