We all cherish our dearest friendships. Most of which are built on common interests, mutual understandings of trust, endless signs of compassion, commitment to promises, and frequent displays of compromise and sacrifice. True friendships hold a crucial place in our lives and in maintaining life balance.
Friendships are critical to our well-being, and they represent a profound and enriching part of our lives. Friendship may improve our health, offering us a sense of belonging and purpose, and even help us to celebrate important good times, cope with bad times, and reduce stress.
Do you remember when you were a child, what was involved when making friends? Maybe sharing your Oreos from your lunch box, giving someone a turn on your new bike, challenging someone to a breath-holding contest in the pool, inviting someone to your house for a sleepover, or agreeing to a pinky swear to keep a secret or hold a promise.
As you became an adult, the expectations to build and maintain friendships became more demanding. Adult friendships may require you to pick a friend up at the airport, invite them to dinner, attend their baby shower, and maybe even loan some money.
Have you ever thought about what it takes to be a good friend? A good friend needs to be accepting, honest, dependable, respectful, nonjudgmental, thoughtful, forgiving, and so much more. It is a really hard job to be a good, trustworthy, faithful, and generous friend. Like any good relationship, it requires putting others first.
Funny thing is, that the “pinky swear” as a child to keep a secret or hold a promise may still prove to be a valuable means to build and maintain crucial friendships. Pinky swears can help children learn the meaning of trust, the power of following through on commitments, and help develop character. Maybe it can do the same for adults?
So, if you want solid friendships and the enriching impact they have on our lives and our health, maybe you can find some time to pledge a “pinky swear”? You won’t regret it!
