Friendship is one of the undervalued treasures of life. When you have friends, you have all the elements that are needed to achieve success. There is support, guidance, encouragement, and help. Those with few friends are poor, those with many friends are wealthy. As former Presidential candidate, Hubert H. Humphrey said, "The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it."
Knowing this profound truth, why do so many have a difficult time developing and maintaining friendships? The most common mistake about friendship people make is to think it is about them and how their friends treat them. Friendship is always about our friends and how good a friend we are to them.
The fourth point of the Scout Law states: “A Scout is friendly. He is a friend to all and a brother to every other scout.” This lesson is not just so boys get along, it is a key principle of life. If we can see the world as our friend, we begin to treat people differently and in turn, they will treat us differently. Always remember the wise words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
“To get a hold on boys you must be their friend.”
– Sir Robert Baden-Powell
(1857-1941) Founder of the Boy Scouts
Let me share with you a few key elements to a good and solid friendship that you can apply to your life. These will make you a better friend and will increase your ability to gain more friends.
Have A Positive Attitude
Nothing will repel friends faster than a grumpy and moody disposition. Who wants to be around a sourpuss? Those who gain friends are those who are pleasant and cheerful. People like to be around happy and positive people. They want to feel encouraged and excited about life and your attitude can make that happen.
Care for Others
The selfish and self-centered do not make good friends. They spend all their time thinking about themselves and what they want and what others think of them. A good friend cares about other people more than for themselves. They know how to listen, to encourage and to enjoy the hopes and dreams of others. A good friend does all they can to help their friends achieve and grow.
Laugh Freely
One of the most valued qualities of friendship is the ability to laugh together. People love to have someone in their life who they can have fun with, laugh with and just flat out enjoy. Yes, it is important to have a friend to walk through the difficult times with, but you do not, or should not, live in the difficult times. Even then, when you are stressed and facing challenges, nothing works better to relieve that stress than a good laugh. Be a friend that people can laugh with as well and cry with.
Excel In Loyalty
Friends are people who you can depend on, to be honest, trustworthy and loyal. We need people in our lives that we know will never betray our trust or cause us harm. Those who think of themselves first cannot be loyal because loyalty is the very act of thinking of others, and what is best for them, first. Be the kind of person others know they can depend on to keep their secrets, support their dreams and be there when they need you.
You matter! You matter to the world and to yourself. Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.
Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program, however, he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com. © 2018 John Patrick Hickey
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