"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies". - Aristotle
Perhaps the one relation that has survived the trials and tribulations
of time and has still remained unconditional is friendship. A unique blend of
affection, loyalty, love, respect, trust and loads of fun is perhaps what
describes the true meaning of friendship between two individuals. Similar
interests, mutual respect and strong attachment with each other are what friends
share between each other. These are just the general traits of a friendship. To
experience what is friendship, one must have true friends, who are indeed rare
treasure.
Different people have different definitions of friendship. For
some, it is the trust in an individual that he / she won't hurt you. For others,
it is unconditional love. There are some who feel that friendship is
companionship. People form definitions based on the kind of experiences they
have had. This is one relation that has been nurtured since times immemorial.
There are famous stories about friends in mythologies of different religions all
over the world. They say a person who has found a faithful friend has found a
priceless treasure.
Psychologically speaking, friendship may be defined
as "a dynamic, mutual relationship between two individuals. As children become
friends, they negotiate boundaries within which both partners function". This
helps them to function like healthy individuals in life as they learn to draw a
line as and when needed in a relation. This greatly helps in the emotional
development of an individual. However, any relation needs constant nurturing and
development from all the people that are involved in one. Friendship cannot
survive if one person makes all the effort to sustain it without any mutual
recognition from others.
Since friendship starts the moment a child
starts socializing, the kind of friends that the child chooses should be taken
care of till the time he / she learns to differentiate between right and wrong.
Wrong peers or lack of socializing can lead to severe psychological traumas and
disorders, finally leading to social maladjustment. The correct peer group is
essential for the development of the personality of a child. Both positive and
negative experiences refine the personality of the individual. Thus it is
essential that you find friends who are compatible with you on an emotional and
psychological basis.
