What is a true friend?

What is a true friend? A question that every human being has to ask in his/her life time.  Is it your partner in crime, or someone who tells you jokes and gossips,  or someone you can depend on. Let's start by looking at what other people say.

 ''A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked''
 "A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is''
 '' A true friend is someone who is always there during the ups and downs''
 ''A true friend is someone who never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down''. 
 ''A true friend is someone you can be with never say a word and walk away feeling it was the best conversation you ever had''.

Now i know that a lot of you will be start asking me what i think a true friend is.  Okay i define a true friend as someone who never gets tired listening to your pointless drama over and over again. A true friend is someone who has touched your heart and will stay there. Someone you care for, who cares for you. Someone you can do the stupidest things around and always be forgiven. Someone you'll instantly remember in ten years because they are in your heart and not just your mind. They have the ability to change you, even if they don't. They will be etched in your memories forever. 

 HOW TO DECIDE IF YOUR FRIEND IS A TRUE FRIEND!

1. True friends offer supportive comments and encouragement. Real friends make you feel needed, confident, and happy. Everyone needs a little positive energy here and there, and true friends have it in spades. Even when they disagree with you ("that hat looks like it came from a dead opossum") they still support you the best they can ("but, at least, you're rocking it!").

• If your friend gives you genuine compliments, on everything from your new outfit to your work ethic, it's a good sign.
• Encouragement, even over dumb little things, is a good sign for both of you.
• See if your friend is your cheerleader. Though your friend doesn't have to always cheer you on, if your friend is a good friend, then they should be your fan and should always root for you to succeed.
• If your friend always dismisses or one-ups your successes, puts you down, and/or doesn't believe you can succeed, then they aren't a true friend -- kick their unpleasant attitudes up the curb.

A true friend is someone who is always there during the ups and downs, I actually have a song called 'True Friend'. Miley Cyrus Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/true_friend.html
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/true_friend.html

A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/true_friend.html

.2. True friends listen to you. Sometimes all you need is for someone to shut up and listen. True friends know how to close their mouths and open their ears, as long as you can do the same from time to time. They make eye contact when talking, remember what you've told them, and ask thoughtful questions. Notice who does most of the talking. In an ideal friendship, both friends should roughly share the same amount. If you feel like you are always the one listening to your friend's problems, then you're not getting your fair share of the friendship.

• If your friend is looking around the room and checking their phone every time you talk, or has no recollection of that time you said you were applying to law school, they're probably fake friends not worth your time.

 3. True friends communicate openly with each other. With true friends, you happily share embarrassing stories and secrets, and they share them back. They'll pick up on your moods without cues. "Dude-- you seem off today," for example, may be a guy's best attempt at emotional empathy, but it is still a meaningful sign of friendship. He cares, dude. When things get rough, true friends don't beat around the bush, they have mature, honest conversations that get to the point.

• If you know how to have a mature talk when you're unhappy, then you have strong communication. If you and your friend are comfortable saying, "Hey, I was really hurt that you didn't come to my party the other night" then you've found a friend worth keeping.
• If you feel the need to hide things from him or her, can't trust them with secrets or big news, or feel like they don't open up to you about their lives, you're facing yet another not-so-true friend.

 4. True friends keep away from the rumor mill. If your so-called friend is a big gossip, then it's likely that your friend is gossiping about you when you're not around. Everyone loves some juicy gossip from time to time. But if you feel like your friend is always gossiping about someone or talking trash, chances are your "friend" will do the same as soon as your back is turned. Here are some ways to know if your friend's gossiping is out of control:

• If your friend talks trash about someone as soon as they leave the room, then the friend is a terrible person.
• If your friend routinely talks about people they claim to be their closest friends, then they're doing the same about you to their other "true" friends.
• If your friend is always saying negative things about people who aren't around, then your friend is definitely not a true friend.

 HOW TRUE FRIENDS ACT

1.True friends make time for you. Life can be nuts, and it's hard enough to find time to sleep, work, and eat, let alone socialize. But a true friend will always make time for you. If they can't find the time to hang out or talk on the phone, then why are they even your friend?

• If your friend is good about scheduling phone, lunch, or dinner dates, and always follows through, then you have a good friend. Congrats! Make sure you do the same and make time for them, of course.
• If your friend never makes time for you, always complains about how life has been "crazy busy," and expects you to work around their schedule, then you have a problem. Especially if they spend their time with significant others or different friends. Everyone is busy; not everyone flakes out.

 2. True friends keep everything 50/50. In an ideal friendship, both people put the same amount of effort into the relationship, whether it's communication, making time to chill, or buying the next round of drinks. It's a give and take, so don't do all the giving if your friend is a taker. Usually, you can feel this happening, And if you feel it happening, cut them off! True friends give back to you without having to think about it.

• You should both be willing to show affection. Not everyone is a hugger, but everyone has a way of demonstrating that they care for you.
• Keeping things equal doesn't mean you spend the same amount of cash on people -- relationships aren't bought and sold. It's just about feeling respected and cared for by a friend, however they show it.
• Don't let your friend always come to you for favors and support, but get busy the minute you need a hand. You should both be reaching out from time to time, not only to ask for help but to offer it. 

3. True friends don't have other motives for becoming your pal. This soul-searching is particularly hard to do, but it's important. Take the time to reflect on why your friend might want to hang out with you. More likely than not, you're just good friends, and the rest of the "benefits" just happen naturally. There are some classic reasons why a fake friend might find you, but usually, you'll see a few of the other warnings signs if they aren't true friends. Still, be on the lookout for those hoping to latch on to your:

• Popularity. If Mean Girls taught the world anything, it's that true friends stick around no matter how popular you are. Popularity is a fickle beast, but it doesn't bother your true friends.
• Wealth. Make no mistake-- having rich friends is fun. You get to do all the things you could never afford! But if your friends only love you for your wealth, they'll be gone before the last penny drops.
• Convenience. Are you giving them a ride to the office or a chance to look over your homework? Are they giving anything back?

As i conclude, i just want to outline THE VALUES OF TRUE FRIENDSHIP .

Companionship
One value of friendship which many find extremely important is the companionship aspect of it. Whether you are hanging out with your friends in between classes or going to the movies with them during the weekend, you will find that having friends is a really great thing. Friends are companions who will keep you occupied and individuals who you can have a great time with all the time. 

  Conversation

Even if you can't get together with your friends you can usually get a hold of them by phone, email or text messaging. Conversation, whether actual or virtual, is another value which people consider with regard to friendship. Everyone needs to talk and share their thoughts and feelings and friends are great in providing this for you. Good conversation usually equals a great friendship. 

Helping hand when needed
 Friends also  lend a helping hand when it is needed. Every once in a while you will find that you have a problem which your friends can often help you out with. Whether it deals with a fight with your parents or boy/girl issues, your friends are there for you. This is a valuable trait when it comes to friendship.

Laughter
Those who have good friends will also find that laughter is a big part of the relationship. No one can make you laugh like your friends and laughter is so good for keeping your spirits up and making your day bright. You will find that the more good friends you have, the more laughter and happiness you will have in your life. Just keep in mind, though, that it is often quality of friends and not quantity of friends which make an individual happy overall. 

Advice

Another valuable aspect of friendship is that friends often provide helpful advice for one another. When teens have a problem they usually turn to their friends or their parents. Sometimes they may find that their parents are unable to help out in a certain situation and this is when they truly need the advice of their peers. Having friends means that you will have someone to help you get through a situation that you need help with. This, too, is a great aspect of friendship. The advice may range anywhere from what clothes to wear to what you should do in a certain circumstance. No matter what the issue may be, having a friend to provide advice is quite valuable.