Friendship is it really that freakin hard!

[eric]

"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked."
- Bernard Meltzer.

"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend.
- Abraham Lincoln

Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more people. In this sense, the term connotes a relationship which involves mutual knowledge, esteem, and affection and respect along with a degree of rendering service to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other's company and exhibit loyalty towards each other, often to the point of altruism. Their tastes will usually be similar and may converge, and they will share enjoyable activities. They will also engage in mutually helping behavior, such as exchange of advice and the sharing of hardship. A friend is someone who may often demonstrate reciprocating and reflective behaviors. Yet for many, friendship is nothing more than the trust that someone or something will not harm them.
-From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

To form a healthy and long-lasting relationship, a person must be productive in a friendship relationship, and they cannot be causing harm to themselves or the other person involved in the relationship. "Once destructiveness enters into a relationship, it can no longer be characterized as a friendship."
-Devito, Joseph A.

Et tu, Brute?

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Uh....hmmmm......not sure what you're looking for here Eric.

 

[eric]

Ryan they know who they are! It just sucks that it came from here! Sorry for the drama but its better than holding it in!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Eric, I know in my heart of hearts what your are expressing. I am privileged and grateful to consider you my friend. I love you.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Fair enough, it's always better to vent then leave it all inside. While i was reading i was trying to read between lines but there were no lines to read between. I know we haven't talked to terribly much but if you would like to just shoot me a PM or something. I'm a night owl over here on the east coast. It helps when you get off a midnight from work.

 

[eyelids]

It sucks to be duped by a ''friend''... My whole ''crew'' pretty much left me in the dust after my injury... I know how you feel... :blank:

 

[LeapinLizards]

Eric, I may be "slightly cracked" but you know how privileged I feel to have you as a friend, and how much I love you and your family

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

To form a healthy and long-lasting relationship, a person must be productive in a friendship relationship, and they cannot be causing harm to themselves or the other person involved in the relationship. "Once destructiveness enters into a relationship, it can no longer be characterized as a friendship."
-Devito, Joseph A.

I think this comment sums up the current situation(s) with some of our "friends". It can be an overwhelming loss when someone we trusted, cared for, and valued, has shattered the relationship with such destructive forces as betrayal and deceit.

 

[Gregg M]

I dont know why this thread was started exactly, but I can see where it is going... Honestly, I am not digging it... I think personal differences between members should be kept out of the eye of the public... Personal and private matter should be kept personal and private...

Here is my own quote...
In order for a friendship to fail both sides need to be failing...

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Gregg, I see your point and agree that personal problems between members should not be 'aired out' publicly on this forum. It's great to have GF as drama-free as possible. But on the flip side, this is a forum where we can express ourselves on a personal basis in a 'safe' way as long as member's names are not mentioned, or the nature or details of the issue is not discussed. Besides, nothing was mentioned here in this thread that would indicate there is a problem between GF members. I took it as a member (including myself) expressing sadness and disappointment that friendships are difficult to maintain without reciprocal cooperation.

 

[Gregg M]

Fair enough Marcia... I am just expressing my feelings on the situation and my disappointment in where this is going and where its being directed...

What kind of FRIEND would I be if I didnt??? I would do the same for you if you were the one being fired at...

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

There may be a few people who might think they know where this is directed, but other than that is is remaining a 'neutral' subject. I will not allow this thread to go off topic or become anything more than a discussion regarding the nature of 'friendship'.

 

[Ian S.]

No matter how much we agree to disagree or compare and contrast black to white, remember the most important thing above all else. Life is short. No matter how rich or how poor, different or indifferent. I lost my best friend/brother of 15 years to suicide recently. We literally lived together growing up from boys to Toys R Us kids. (the toys just got bigger.) He chose one destructive road and I chose the other. I went through the last year wishing for my best friend back and when it was all said and done the wish was taken away. In one instant one call and two words. Good bye... Had I not thought it was a wrong number? Above all else I would advise one thing. Ask yourselves one more time...what is trivial and be leniant with the answer. Take care of one another here and now why wait.
R.I.P. Brad H.:main_no:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Ohhh Ian... I'm so sorry to hear about this tragedy with your friend. I lost my younger brother to suicide, and I know how horrific it is.

You're right, life is very short... it's too short to be unforgiving, but life is also too short to expend precious energy and emotion on people that we thought were friends, but have blatantly stabbed us in the back. It's such a tragedy.

 

[bubblez825]

nvm wrong thread lol

 

[Yamori]

Friendship is a precious thing thats for sure. If something happends between one or more friends, Talk to them directly and sort it out. To start a thread and directly or in this case indirectly scorn whoever this was aimed at is wrong in my opinion. But its happend, no point takeing it further. Id like to think all of us have got to know each other pretty well here on GF, thats one of the things that set GF apart from all other forums.

I know ive talked to quite a few members quite frequently when we had chat and still continue talking to some thrue pm's and will work to keep the friendships ive earnt becouse thats what friendships take, trust, loyalty etc. its one thing to gain a friend but quite another to keep a friendship going, that takes work.

We all know what its like to be betrayed by a friend. I have had my fair share thats for sure. many years ago my best mate betrayed me in a big way, had an affair with my girl. needles to say that friendship ended and ive had a couple of other friendships lost over the years because of disloyalty but i always talked to them directly. I have also forgiven a good friend of mine and it made our friendship stronger.

Anyway, what's done is done. hopefully you and whoever this was aimed at can patch things up. "Forgive and forget"
-
Peace

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

I dunno about the forgive and forget. Sure you can forgive but you never forget. After having many friendships broken i have come to realize that if someone is willing to talk trash behind your back then it's not really a good friendship to begin with.

I'm with Marcia on expending the energy on those who don't deserve it. Too many people out there that is more then willing to accept that energy and be a friend.

***disclaimer -- this is in no way pointed at any one or party ***