01 Aug Ralph Waldo Emerson On Friendship

Ralph Waldo Emerson impacted the world with his words. One of Emerson’s biggest inspirations to his great works were his relationships. In countless writings, Emerson reflects about the importance of the people we invite in to our lives: our friends.

Read on to be inspired on how to become the most extraordinary friend possible:

Spend time together
“Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path.”
Friendships, like all living beings, require significant maintenance. If your friendship isn’t growing, it’s dying. Carve out time and commit to spending quality time, doing quality activities with your friends to ensure healthy, growing relationships.

Become the kind of person with whom you would want to be friends
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”
It’s an old saying that has withstood the test of time, for good reason. If you want exceptional friends, YOU must be an exceptional friend. Treat your friends as you want to be treated.

Listen
“A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him, I may think aloud.”
Make a conscious effort to not just hear your friends, but to listen to what they’re communicating with you. Become open, receptive, and supportive of their ideas, thoughts, and feelings. it will make a world of difference in the quality of your bond.

Hold your friends accountable
“A true friend is somebody who can make us do what we can.”
Exchange commitments to improve your life with your friends. Encourage your ‘inner circle’ to hold you accountable to your goals and do the same for them.

Invest Wisely
“We take care of our health, we lay up money, we make our roof tight and our clothing sufficient, but who provides wisely that he shall not be wanting in the best property of all- friends.”
Choose your friends carefully. Time is limited on this planet and the people around us will influence us tremendously. In order to be an extraordinary friend, you must focus your efforts towards people worthy of your friendship. Dismiss those that drain your emotional stock.

Appreciate
“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.”
Expressing gratitude is one of the easiest, and most important ways to become an extraordinary friend. Acknowledging their contribution to your life will greatly enhance the quality of your friendship.

Be yourself
“It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them. “
Give your friends the gift of your authentic self. This is key to attract other genuine individuals into your life. Additionally, remaining authentic will strengthen your character by practicing integrity. The best people to be friends with are those with whom you can be your absolute self.

Ask for feedback
“A man’s growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.”
Have the courage to ask your loved ones for feedback on your performance as a friend. This communicates that you care about improving the friendship and that you deeply respect your friend’s opinion. Use their thoughts to enhance your strategies to become the greatest friend possible.

Be trustworthy
“The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with his friendship.”
Friendship cannot exist without trust; it is a foundational element to any lasting relationship. Become the greatest friend you can be by being reliable, honest, accountable, and loyal in your friendships. If you have broken friendships that need mending, create a strategy to become trustworthy again, or learn to trust someone again.

Inspire
“A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature. “
A great friendship is a work of art: beautiful, lively, and inspiring. Think deeply about how you can inspire your friends everyday by being the best person possible. Become half of the masterpiece.

Create a tradition
“Friendship should be surrounded with ceremonies and respects, and not crushed into corners.”
A genuine, fulfilling friendship requires dedication. Ask a friend to start a tradition together. Commit to a time together on a regular basis to reflect, build, and celebrate your beautiful friendships.