Think of your closest friends. How did you choose them? What characteristics do you want your friends to have?
A true friend has good character, is honest, trustworthy, gives unconditional love, and always does the right thing. Their reputation is everything to them. A true friend is someone who will lift you up when you are down and will inspire you on your journey to the best person you can be. Friends help you to reach your goals and are willing to listen when you have a problem even when they would rather not. When you win and are successful they are truly happy to celebrate with you and when you lose they have a shoulder for you to lean and cry on. That's what a real friend is. A treasure!
Throughout my life I have been truly blessed by having several good friends. My mama, Romayne Leader Frank taught me by example to have good character, to be honest, trustworthy, and to always do the right thing. Mama was my first role model, mentor, best friend and teacher. She modeled for me the right way to behave and treat others. She was the finest person I have ever known. Mama was a lawyer who helped families who had lost everything get back on their feet. Through her wise guidance she would show them how to repair their finances. She was always willing to listen and help. As a friend, wife, mother, and lawyer she cared about helping others to succeed with their goals and she was always willing to help you find your way.
My friend Jean and I have been friends for over 20 years and we have been there for each other during crises and celebrations. In 2006, I was sharing with her my research on how medical doctors were using Classical music to help patients recover from different illnesses and how Classical music was helping children to be better students in school. She suggested I share my research in a monthly article with parents, teachers, and friends. That was the beginning of "Madeline's Monthly Article and Musical Tips" in October 2006. The next year when I began a Radio Show interviewing scientists, medical doctors, and others, she suggested guests for the show. This was the beginning of "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". Friends' help you stretch your abilities to help you and others learn to grow and be better people.
Sometimes you learn the hard way who is really not your friend. Ray is a top repairman of heating and Air conditioning systems. His friend Jay asked him on his day off to fix his air conditioner. Ray's father-in-law told Ray "that he needs to lose this friend". He's right! It's time for Ray to weed out his garden.
Monty is a CPA and his good friend Abel asks him on his day off to do his taxes for him. Is Abel a true friend? Of course not! Monty needs to look for a new friend who will honor and protect him not take advantage of him. It's time for Monty to weed out his garden too!
Those of you that are familiar with Shakespeare's play "Othello" will remember the character Iago, pronounced "e-og-go. Iago pretends to be a friend to his boss Othello, the Moor. Iago did not get the promotion he expected from Othello and he is jealous of the love and happiness Othello has with his beloved wife Desdemona. Iago decides to make Othello think his wife, Desdemona, is having an affair with another man. Iago sets Desdemona up destroying her marriage to Othello by deceit and dishonesty.
All of us have an Iago, a false friend, in our lives who is jealous of our success, our happy family, our lives, our honesty and our integrity. Do not let this false friend destroy your life and that of your family.
Jay, Abel, and Iago are friends you need to weed out of your garden and find new honorable and trustworthy friends.
Dave Sheffield, the Shef, motivational speaker, author, coach, and friend said it best; know "when it is time to love them from a distance." He also said, "One thing that I like to remember is that some people are in your life for a season, and others are in your life for a reason."
So how should you choose your friends? What are the 3 characteristics of a good friend?
1) A friend is honest, trustworthy, has good character, and always does the right thing. Their reputation is everything to them. When you have a problem a friend will listen to you, even when they do not want to, and help you make the right decision. You can depend on them to steer you in the right direction.
2) A friend is someone who will lift you up when you are down and will inspire you on your journey to the best person you can be. They have a shoulder for you to lean on and cry on when needed. They will also give you a hug when you are down and when something terrible happens they will surround you, stand by you, and protect you.
3) When you are winning and are successful, your friends are truly happy for you, and celebrate with you.
Remember when you are choosing your friends make sure he or she has good character, is honest, trustworthy, always chooses to do the right thing, and is a positive person who encourages you to do the right thing to be the best person you can be.
By choosing your friends wisely, you will have faithful friends, who you will treasure for a life time!
Madeline Frank, Ph.D. is an Amazon.com Best Selling Author, sought after speaker, business owner, teacher, researcher, and concert artist. She helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep your businesses successful. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's Monthly Article & Musical Tips" and a monthly radio show "Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". She has just published her new book "Leadership On A Shoestring Budget".
If you need a speaker contact Madeline at: mfrankviola@gmail.com