Good Friends or Not

On the road of life, we can encounter potholes, bumps, uneven pavement and poor visibility. Each one of these situations can easily send you off the road. But, like stability control, best friends are there to keep you firmly planted on the road and help you to avoid dangerous crashes, or going out of control.

We All Face Challenges
Each one of us faces challenges throughout a lifetime some of which we can overcome easily while others are much more difficult. And, just like any road of life, friends can and do assist when all others seem to run.

“Real” Friends
During my many years, I have come to realize that real friends are hard to come by. I have had so-called friends from work environments, and from many social activities. And, while it seemed at the time that some of these people were true friends, I was sadly disappointed by many of them. As it turned out, these friends were there, in some cases, only because I could help them at a certain time in their careers, while others were there only to take advantage of a resource they could use for further gains.

Such was the case several years when I was working in an investigative capacity in the social justice system. I came to know a doctor who I would have to work with to help resolve issues of those who had medical complaints. So as to not compromise the integrity of resolving these complaints, I was always aware that my position could be subject to individuals attempting to influence my work and its conclusions and recommendations. In this case, the doctor could be affected by a negative finding.

But, it seemed to be quite different with this individual as he seemed to be genuine, interested in resolving issues and helping to prevent any future such complaints that were drawn to his attention. Over the next few months seeing that I was in touch with him quite often about medical complaints, we became quite close, quite good friends, in that he represented himself to me as more than a working associate. In fact, I recall being invited to his home on several occasions to have dinner with him and his family. Boy, was I wrong.

The relationship continued for a couple of years with a good deal of resolutions to serious complaints and meetings to resolve other related issues. However, I was absolutely dumbfounded one day after I had accepted a new job out of my current position to a whole new environment and organization. I telephoned him to let him know that I was about to leave my job for a new one. I didn’t get him but left a detailed message. I never received a call back – never.

A couple of years later, I saw him at a friends wedding, but I was not acknowledged at all – not even a quick hello.

Disappointed
There are times when we are disappointed by our friends and there are times when we really know who are friends are and are not. Are these reasons to be guarded and to remove one from seeking or accepting new friends.

No. What it does mean, however, is that if you have true friends tried and true, keep them. Do not ignore them and make time, even if you are terribly busy, to contact them. It also means that we all make mistakes; we can be fooled; we can be blinded by what appears to be genuine emotions because, after all, we are only human

Inspirational Quotes To Consider
“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” Oprah Winfrey

“Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives.” Alexander Dumas

“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.” Bob Marley

Read More Inspirational Stories . . . . . . .