The Friends We Keep

It has recently come to my attention that true friends are quite rare. Through the years you meet many, and while you may call them "friend" they are not so at all.

Since my relocation to Hawaii, I have made many "friends". Or shall I call them acquaintances? Let's discuss the difference:

Acquaintances: These are people with whom you might develop a business relationship. You use the term "friend" loosely to describe a form of understanding between people. These so-called "friends" don't ever call you...that is unless they need something. Likewise the other way around. You would never call these people unless you needed something. For example, you worked in a very high up management position in a very reputable company. You made several acquaintances during your time there. People you saw every day and greeted often. You have not worked for this company in over a year... and it's been that long since you've talked to these people. Now lets take this same situation and apply it towards the present. Your dream job is available and you have all the qualifications. I bet you would call these "friends" of yours from your old company to see if they will endorse you as the perfect "man for the job". You've essentially used this person for their credibility. Friends don't do that to friends. Just the same, friends don't allow their friends to do that to them.

And this is where we differentiate between "friends" and true friends. True friends are simpler to define and describe. You wouldn't need to ask a true friend for such a favor because he or she would have already written the recommendation. You wouldn't have to ask a true friend for any sort of help, because he or she would have already offered it. Your true friends know that they can turn to you, no matter what time of day or night when they need somebody to talk to. And a true friend always answers that call.

There are fine lines of trust between true friends. Things that seem so small and harmless can obliterate that trust. So I invite you all to think long and hard about those you call your true friends. Are they really your friends, or just another acquaintance?