The Secrets of Lifelong Friendships

It is often said that true friendship lasts a lifetime. But how can someone ensure that the bonds of friendship remain strong through the years? According to lifelong friends, strong friendships need the same components that all relationships require: unconditional acceptance, trust, and effective communication. By understanding these 3 key components, everyone can have lifelong friends who will be there for them in both the good times and the bad.

Unconditional Acceptance

When it comes to developing friendships that last, unconditional acceptance from both parties is essential. This means that even after disagreements, the two people must still have an affection for each other and remain open to understanding each other’s point of view. In addition, the friends should show forgiveness towards each other and make a conscious choice each day to care for one another and to remain devoted to the friendship. Lifetime friends don't let their ego ruin the relationship. Although they may think they're always right, they don't feel the need to prove it by being stubborn or fighting to win every argument. Instead, they put the friendship first and understand that it is more important than being right.

Trust

A strong foundation of trust can help support a long-lasting friendship, but this doesn’t happen overnight. Establishing trust might take just one conversation or several encounters. Over time, two friends build trust when they share common experiences, reveal deep and personal truths, step up when they are needed, and believe the best intentions of their friend. Through these trusting experiences, lifelong friends learn to trust each other on a much deeper level than acquaintances. This familiarity allows them to accept each other’s quirks and bear each other’s flaws and weaknesses.

Effective Communication

Good communication is necessary for maintaining a healthy friendship. When something bothers a friend, it is important for them to speak up and share it with the other person. When issues arise, open and fair conversations should take place so that both the friends can better understand each other. When there are misunderstandings, it's important to communicate without jumping to conclusions and making assumptions. When lifelong friends communicate honestly, their friendship eventually grows far beyond the surface.

At the end of the day, relationships involve two different individuals each bringing their own unique attributes. Depending on the personalities involved, it is possible to go through periods of tension and differences of opinion. However, if the two friends strive to keep the qualities of unconditional acceptance, trust and effective communication alive, the result can be a beautiful and lasting friendship.

Two people who genuinely wish to stay close can do so, no matter how much time has passed since they first met. As such, it is possible not just to regain but to continue building the closeness even after many years.