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We learn the value of friendship from a very early age. True friendship
is unconditional: it is an enigma - selfless loving and giving. Perhaps
we are too busy pursuing our careers that we tend to ignore the most
beautiful thing in our lives: love and friendship. Everyone has
different ideas about relationships and the approach may differ. It
helps one to know that there are ‘givers and takers’ in this world and a
role reversal is quite unlikely. Friends may disappoint you sometimes by
not living up to your expectations. One who feels that he or she is
putting more into relationships need not feel nobler as others may not
feel the same. Before you judge someone it is prudent to consider that
he or she may be incapable of love or friendship in the same way.
Therefore, it is the interpretation of the measure of love or friendship
that is under scrutiny; perhaps the person who realizes this has earned
the right to be noble.

Human relationship is perhaps an enigma that can make you or break you.
The precious bond between mother and baby is the most sacred of all,
which starts in the womb; this bonding gradually blossoms into its
various forms. The new life grows within her and it is no surprise that
she guards it with her life from that moment. The baby comes into this
world crying; announcing to the world its arrival or perhaps a cry of
protest for being born. That precious bundle is loved, cuddled and
smothered in kisses from the moment of its birth - the ‘human
relationship machinery’ sets its wheels rolling. Parents, relatives and
friends engulf the new life with their brand of love and care. Children
grow into adults knowing the values of love and understanding or
animosity and selfishness. They start seeing the world through their
parents’ eyes and therefore, the parents have a greater responsibility
during the formative years of their children.

People can go through life without having experienced true friendship of
any kind. It is probably because of their selfishness or perhaps due to
the total contentment within their small world; unfortunately this
comfort zone has a tendency to get smaller in later years. Some may even
have a tendency to criticize everything and everyone around them feeling
happy and self-righteous. It is good to have friends, but it is even
better to have a few good friends that one really cares for. As we get
older we are more informed of our choices and there is no need to spend
our precious time with people who make us tense, irritable and unhappy.
One may come across prejudice and jealousy with the wrong type of
people. True friendship develops an emotional tie that is strong enough
to withstand time and space through thick and thin. It should give you
the freedom to share your innermost feelings without having to wonder
whether it is going to put a strain on the relationship.

In this age of electronic technology, friendship need not be restricted
by distance - correspondence is possible within minutes helping families
and friends to stay in touch. The time spent to nurture a true
friendship is time well spent. Human nature is a blend of many energies
and habits attempting to be one. It is likely that some characteristics
will become more dominant than others. One needs different kinds of love
and attention at various stages of life; but with vision, foresight and
understanding one can get through life with a happy smile if one is
fortunate to have a true friend. A true friendship is such that it can
withstand anything, proving to be an enigma indeed!

(c) E Menon 2008

I am a doctor working in the UK. I love writing and my articles have
been published in the UK and abroad. My hobbies include reading,
writing, gardening, cooking, watching films, listening to music, helping
environmental causes. Etc.

My homepage: http://omana.net/

A place where usually lasting relationships or even true friendship is a
non existent word is Hollywood, in this place there is hardly a
relationship which can stand a test of competition, money, boyfriends or
girlfriends and the glamor coupled with media pressure.

Here is a critical look at a few friendships that can be categorized as
true friendships. The first one which deserves as great applaud is the
friendship between Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox. Courtney provide
that support when Jennifer split with Brad Pitt. Definitely this is what
friendship is when you can count on the support of friends in the hour
of need.

Another famous friendship is that Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. Gayle is
the sounding board for Oprah on all matters pertaining to career and
success. Here is what Oprah did as she wanted Gayle to be a millionaire
, she gifted $1million to Gayle so that she could also be called a
millionaire. A true friend would want the other friend to have the same
success as he or she has and will make very effort to do that. A truly
unique gift from one friend to the other.

Another which has been a great success story of a true friendship was
between Leonardo Di Caprio and Toby McGuire. It is reported that they
met at a TV auditioning. Leonardo got success with Titanic while his
friend was yet to be successful so he made sure that the contracts for
his movies had a clause that the studio will fly his best friends to the
movie set by a private jet. A true friend indeed and he made sure that
his other friends were left out and at least enjoyed some part of his
success. Another friendship that has withstood the pressure of fame is
between Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

This critical look at some real life friendships was to make everyone
understand that friendships foster under various circumstances and can
still survive under intense scrutiny of media, success, money and fame.
This definitely proves a point that a true friendship knows no
boundaries and limits and is pure without any corruption of outside
influences.