Once I needed some urgent monetary helps. I knocked at every known friend door for the help, but no one was ready to extend their helping hand. Instead if helping they were more interested in knowing mynurgency and once they knew they simply backed off. My requirement was for paying for the property which I own. In that desperate time, a person different community came forward and helped me. I was surprised to find him so friendly. He was in my office and only had few conversation before that. But seeing his gesture, I was overwhelmed and since then he is my good book. Infact he is my go to fri3nd for anything and same for him too. Belonging from.different religion, we still are good friend. And helped each other on multiple occasion.
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The true definition of friendship is a voluntary, long-lasting relationship built on mutual affection, trust, loyalty, and respect, where individuals care for and support each other through good times and bad. In our case, even though we have different belief and ideology, we never let them to I terfere our relationship. Neither he say any bad thing about my customs and religion and neither do I interfere in his religion. Still we developna good rapport and love ro hang out whenever we catch up. Even now, when I visit my city home, he alwsys came to meet. There is a unique kind of understanding that develop between us.
In a nation where multiple religion exist and mere mention of some community can bring indifferences, we develop good friendship overtime. It is strange that in any tough time, he approach me and so does me. He blindly trust on me and I do as well. Our friendship is more than a decades old. There is a foundation of trust where individuals can be vulnerable and rely on each other without judgment and that clearly exist between us. There were many friends of my own religion but now after the bitter experince, i do give second thought befpre approaching them. Infact some of them are now out my touch. Our friendship blossomed without any expectation from each other. Even though we are far away we occasionally call each other to know of our well being.
Good friends make great stories
We can maintain our friendships indefinitely, but it requires effort and commitment from both parties, involving regular communication, mutual support, understanding, and a willingness to compromise and respect boundaries. The most important aspect is to accept our friends for who they are, including their flaws, to build a foundation of trust and acceptance. To sustain a strong bond, we need to focus on being a reliable, honest, and supportive friend, making time for each other, showing appreciation, and being adaptable to changes in life. Occasional texts, messages, memes, or a thoughtless gift can maintain the connection.
In a friendship, establish boundaries by avoiding topics that cause anger or personal attacks and knowing when to let go if a friendship is consistently harmful or draining. In our case, we never discuss topic on politics or religion. We can talk for shopping, watch movies, and eat together. True friendship shouldn't leave us feeling powerless or drained. If a friend's opinions or actions are constantly disrespectful, hurtful, or draining, it is healthy to re-evaluate the relationship. Tolerance doesn't mean abandoning your own beliefs. It means finding a way to understand others while staying true to yourself. Boundaries in a friendship are the clear, unspoken (or spoken) limits that define acceptable behaviors and protect individual needs, ensuring mutual respect, safety, and a balanced relationship.
In good faith - Peace!!
