“Don’t wait for people to be friendly. Show them how.” ~Unknown
The other night I called an old friend I hadn’t talked to in a while. As we caught up, shared stories, and laughed over private jokes that would sound ridiculous had the phone been tapped, I wondered why I let so much time go by since I’d last given her a call.
We don’t live close to each other, so grabbing a drink or hitting up a yoga class isn’t an option. But really connecting with her, sharing pieces of my life and receiving the pieces she wants to give, doesn’t require specific geography.
We can be great friends to each other, despite the distance, if we choose to make the effort. If we remember to make the time, we can have those types of meaningful, fulfilling conversations that make us feel seen, understood, appreciated, and supported.
Then I started to think about all the times when I’ve gotten busy and lost touch with friends who live right down the street—times when I got caught up in everything going on in my life and forgot to nurture my relationships.
We need meaningful connections with other people.
Not everyone has to be a close friend, but it’s integral to our happiness that we show people who we truly are, allow ourselves to know them in return, and then remind each other through actions—small or large—that we care.
We never need to be or feel alone in this world, but it’s up to us to create and allow opportunities to be together, enjoy each other, and be there for each other. It’s up to us to make our relationships priorities.
With this in mind, I recently asked on Facebook, “What does it mean to be a true friend?”
I compiled some of the ideas that resonated strongly with me (some of them paraphrased or slightly altered for ease of reading).
Here’s what Tiny Buddha readers had to say:
1. Always be there, even in silence. (Nerrisa Nam)
2. Be kind and listen. Be fun and light. Be serious when needed, love extensively, and forgive always. (Sandra Lumb)
3. Don’t be scared to tell each other the truth, no matter how difficult it may be. (Eva Valencia)
4. Guide each other in times of need with your honest opinions. (Ashna Singh)
5. A true friend is someone who always listens and is genuinely interested in the good and bad, and someone who calls or writes just to say hello. (Kimberly McCarthy)
6. Be loyal in confidence and character, always open and inviting to share concerns, always honest even if you disagree. (Peggy Turner Beatty)
7. A true friend tries his best to cheer you up when you are upset and makes you feel special. (Kalpana Tewani)
8. Try and improve their life though your friendship. (Barry Cassidy)
9. Be who you truly are, be that vulnerable, and provide the other person the space, safety and choice to do the same. (Cynthia Ruprecht Hunt)
10. Be genuinely happy when they get, receive, or achieve something you truly desire. (Heather Tucker)
11. Share the truth in your heart, without the fear of misunderstandings. (Ricardo Marques)
12. Be loyal and forgive but above all: love and respect. (Casey Jo Wagner)
13. Accept the person as they are, as an individual, without conditions. Also, as important as it is for you to be there for them, sometimes you have to be willing to let them be there for you. (Casey Kimes)
14. Remain friends despite a person’s choices in life and don’t bail on them when they aren’t who you want them to be. (Kim Shaw)
15. A true friend always supports the person but doesn’t feel compelled to support the situation. A true friend knows how and when to say the firm, “No.” (Leslie Mollay)
16. Help yourself and those closest to you grow. To live means to grow, and a true friend is someone that you can honestly say has helped define you as an individual. (Kevin Ball)
17. Celebrate the wins and be there to support the losses. Keep your word and acknowledge it when you don’t. (Margalit Ward)
18. Walk in to a friend’s aid when others are walking out. (Larry Stilts)
19. Don’t hold grudges over petty disagreements. (Annika de Korte)
20. Show up! You can pretend to care but you cannot pretend to show up. (Sherri Levy)
21. A true friend is someone you feel as comfortable with as you do when you are by yourself. No illusions, no holding back. (Liz McConomy)
22. Be there for the other person in the same way you would be there for yourself. Granted, if you can’t be there for yourself, that’s probably something you should address first. (Elizabeth McDaniels)
23. Don’t let your own stuff get in the way. The ego is powerful. (Sabrina Toffey)
24. Know someone’s least admirable characteristics and still love and support them. (Talia Startsman)
And I’ll add the last: share honest appreciation every chance you get.
I don’t know all of you, but I’ve gotten to know quite a few. To all the beautiful, inspiring people who come here and share pieces of themselves, thank you for being you and for taking me, just as I am.
Do you have anything to add to the list?
Friends hugging image via Shutterstock

About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Thanks alot Lori for the post, this came at just the right time! 🙂
On another note, I am a big fan of Tiny Buddha so thanks alot for putting in all of the effort to make our day:) Xx
Thank you for your kind comment. =) I love running Tiny Buddha, and I’m so glad you enjoy it!
A friend is someone who accepts you as you are, but also invites you to grow.
A friend is someone who accepts you as you are, and also invites you to grow.
I love this, Lori. You are a wonderful friend. I can’t wait to see you again! xo
Likewise Brianne! I hope you are doing alright. I’ve been thinking of you!
Wonderful post. I loved so many of these, especially: ‘Walk in to a friend’s aid when others are walking out.’
For me a true friend is someone who, when I’m with them, really sees me, really hears me.
I loved that one, as well. I also loved, “A true friend supports the person but doesn’t feel compelled to support the situation.” What a great distinction! Thank you for reading. =)
There are some really nice points here. I would add, a friend is like a mirror. Someone in whom you can see your own reflection complete with weaknesses and strengths, flaws and beauty. A mirror doesn’t judge, it simply reflects.
Thanks Lori and Tiny Buddha! I do really feel a true friend is one you can completely relax with and let your guard down and offer that as well. I have found that in later life that friends can come from all walks of life and have many guises but you will know one when you see one that’s for sure.
this photo just tickles me…I love it.
[…] 25 Ways tο Bе a Trυе Friend | Tіחу Buddha […]
You’re most welcome! I’ve always loved making friends of different ages. I did theater growing up, so I always spent time around adults from all different backgrounds. Thanks for reading and commenting. =)
Beautiful =)
be the friend you want to have 🙂
I think that a friend not only can share few moments whit you, a truely friend can understand that sometimes you need a space whitout matters or prejudices
A true friend understands that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be extremely good, so when times are not exactly as you wish you find the moments of goodness!
I really enjoyed this post, especially the quote. It ties everything together. You shouldn’t always wait for someone to be friendly to you. You must put out what you want to receive in return.
To many times we sit and get wrapped up in our lives and forget to keep in touch with important people in our lives. It is so important to reach out to others and to take a break from our busy days just to say, “how’s your day?”
I also like the fact that the 25 ways are influenced by what the public thinks. I think that their perspective is spot on and its nice to have a quick list to remind me easy tips to be a better friend.
This post really inspires me to get up and take a few minutes out of my day to show my loved ones how much I care.
Thanks for reading and commenting! I’m so glad this post inspired you to reach out to the people you love. Whenever I make the time to do this, it makes a big difference in my day. I love when people call me just to let me know they were thinking of me, and feels great to take the initiative to reach out to them in the same way. =)
WELL SAID!!!
[…] Deschene, founder of Tiny Buddha, recently wrote a blog post called 25 Ways To Be A True Friend. The excerpt below really struck a chord with me, and I wanted to share it with all of […]
Good list. Whilst I ascribe to lots of the tips, to 1. Be there & 20. Show up have been hard since becoming a mother and I do feel I’m failing sometimes because of it.
Hi there,
I don’t know your exact situation, but I’m pretty confident I can say that you’re not failing! I have a lot of friends who are new mothers, and as their friend, I understand they have a new set of responsibilities and they’re adjusting/trying to find a balance. Just the fact that you care to “show up” for your friends tells me you’re a really good friend to have. =)
Lori
If it’s difficult to find a true friend, just be a true friend.. 🙂
[…] read this great post recently and it had me thinking about the things I’ve felt were missing from friendships of […]
[…] good friend isn’t hard to find if you make the choice to be one. Who might need to hear from you […]
FANTASTIC!!! I love all the wisdom/tips you get from people!! Thank you for sharing them, and for this amazing site! 🙂
Thanks so much. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the site! =)
Thanks for having this Tiny Buddha. It really helps me to think differently when I am having a major spiritual awakening = breakdown. However, I wish that my friend who introduce me to this site will also feels better. I am still praying for her to get well soon especially she is having her final exam. Continue the great job. ^^
You’re most welcome Ashley. I hope your friend gets well soon!
A true friend will not lead you to do bad things, there’s a Buddhist saying for children ‘Stay far away from bad companies/people’. Don’t get influenced by them. As you grow older, you’ll eventually find who your true good friends are. But remember, you yourself should stay the way how you want others to be!
I really enjoyed this because I am doing a project at school which is called how to be a good friend
My friend laughs at me when my bullies call me names and say things to me she thinks it’s funny even when I cried she went with them and if I wanted her over to my house shed come over
#9 is the hardest for me. I have a handful if truly close friends that I support and love and would do anything for, except #9. I do have one that I let all defenses down with and it is a wonderful yet scary thing to trust someone that much.
I know what you mean. That one is tough for me at times too. it takes me a while to feel fully comfortable around new people.
I Really Lucky to Get Karthick As My Friend.He More To All In My Life.Thanks You And Hats Of You…In My Next Life I Need This Same Friendship…..
very happy to see ur post preethi…..:-) wat more can i ask for i ve got so much of love from you..ur always my special frnd….love u a lot dear.evn i wnt dis frndship forever:-)
Cool quotes these will help a lot so I can be a true friend… 🙂
I agree too.
Every where i go people bully me call me names etc. i just want to be good at something anything everyone just is a giant bully to me i just do nothing to them i wish i could be worth something.
I’m so sorry to hear about what you’re going through Gizmo. In what situations/ways do people bully you?
Great points of firendship 🙂
Thanks so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Lucky i ur Sweety,All the best for ur Future Life,I miss alot dont forget me in ur Future bye Lucky
Racism and shoves into lockers
I Need
my First Son Till My Last Breath I Love My First Son So
Much More Then My Life..Love You Lucky
Now i am back with my praci as always i am very happy now 🙂 past present and future i will never forget my sweetheart 🙂 love u di 🙂
I wonder what it’s like having friends…
I recently told a guy that I liked him and he told me at the end of the message but you are a good person and a great friend. How can prove him that I am his friend?
Great list! Thank you for sharing. Sometimes it can be easy to forget that having great friends usually requires that we first be a great friend. What a wonderful reminder!