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 The
Often Forgotten Importance of Best Friend Relationships
By: Joshua Uebergang
From the time of elementary school,
we have all found ways to define our relationships with
other people. For some, this meant telling another
one that they were your best friend, or that you would
be friends forever. What was the significance of this
definition, not only in having to define what a best
friend was, but also in showing who your best friend
should be?
Having best
friends has been defined in our society because
of the need to make connections to other people on
deeper levels. When something goes wrong in your life,
you can turn to a best friend first in order to get
things straight again. No matter what is happening,
a best friend becomes important because of their ability
to reach you on levels that others may not have been
able to.
According to several psychologists, it has been stated
that a best friend is one who can help with behavioral
and personality development. This specifically means
that those who were able to connect to others often
would find themselves benefiting on several levels.
The first was in ways of expressing themselves with
what was occurring. The response was often a mutual
expression or respect. The overall abilities of the
individuals were a creation of understanding of behaviors
and personal needs, allowing the other person to grow
and develop new levels of importance.
On the lowest level of understanding a best-friend
is the requirement that most will define friendship by.
This means that there is a mutual exchange of doing
things for each other. However, this is a lower interpersonal
understanding of interactions between the two individuals.
The importance of a best friend moves beyond this commitment
of support and the need to do things for the other
person.
Beyond this physical need for friendship are also emotional
and mental exchanges that are known to be important
for a friendship. Having the ability to connect on
these deeper levels, by opening up to another person,
releasing different energies, and creating mutual feelings
of expression give those who are in a friendship the
ability to explore what is occurring through different
levels of understanding.
For those that understand that life is not perfect,
a best friend can often come in handy to balance out
situations. Typically, a best friend will not be afraid
to jump in at the site of danger or downfall in order
to lift the other person back to their feet and push
them into the area that is needed. By defining a best
friend, this particular job description of having the "other
person's back" is automatically understood as part
of the partnership that is being built.
In order to be a best friend, or to define a best friend,
it is important to understand what is needed as well
as what you should do in the relationship. Typically,
it is said that best friends are not found on words
alone, but also on the actions that show the intent
of the person. Best friends are then defined not by
needing this definition, but instead by demonstrating
loyalty, positive regard, honesty and support.
Having a best friend in any kind of relationship, whether
it be with a loved
one or an acquaintance allows for new demonstrations
of exploration on personal and behavior levels to be
met. It also allows for levels of expression and openness
to be a stronghold in the relationship. The difference
between an acquaintance and a best friend is the commitment,
loyalty and strength that are provided. Whether it
is your dog, business partner, or neighbor, having
a best friend is one of the strongest connections that
can be made.
About the Author
Joshua Uebergang is owner of EarthlingCommunication.com where he teaches people effective communication skills. You can signup to his communication skills newsletter called the "Earthling Transmission" for free. As a thank you for joining you'll receive a bonus report on communicating effectively. |
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