The Care And Maintenance Of Friendships

Friendships are important. You need to take care of them to keep them going. You can’t be too rough with them. You have to take care of minor problems before they balloon into major ones.

You have to do routine maintenance like keeping in touch, doing thoughtful things and never taking the person for granted. When you do, the friends are reliable and you are there for each other in an important way.”

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Here’s the “owner’s manual” for the care and maintenance of friendships:

Keep in contact. Good friends don’t let a lot of time slip by without connecting.

Do keep it balanced. Good friends feel equal in the relationship. When a friendship is healthy, roles shift easily. They share stories. They listen attentively. They treat and are treated.

Be loyal. Friendship requires loyalty. Friends don’t talk about each other in negative ways with others. They don’t repeat rumors or gossip that would hurt their friend. They stand up for each other and watch each other’s back.

Remember their birthdays. Little things really do count. Good friends are thoughtful.

Deal with conflict. Conflict is inevitable in any human relationship. Friends don’t let minor problems fester and grow into big ones.