Caught in between words. Do you have to love every member? Yes... love human nation as a whole... that I want to do... but I find it hard to love everyone in the same way. Chemistry... or call it what you want... some just don't match very well. Can you still be nice towards those you don't find yourself mentally "attracted" to? My personal answer is- YES.

"A friend" what is that?

To me it's:
...someone who wants what is best for you.
...someone who sees you for who you are and still loves you
...someone who listens without the purpose to judge
...someone who is unselfish
...someone who gives you space when you need to be alone and still knows that you love him/her
...someone who proves to be honest and trustworthy... through both actions and words
...someone who can cry... laugh... together with you
...someone who takes initiative to show compassion and love
...someone who doesn't brag to over glow you
...someone ready to be there in all weathers... even when it takes some extra effort
...someone ready to forgive
...someone who is loyal
...someone is a FRIEND
...someone is also oneself
to keep a friend... be a friend- be a someone!

What is "a friend" to you???

[Fuzzybear]

Great list! I agree with everything on your list.

Good post!!! (((((((((((((( Nina )))))))))))))))

((((((((((nina))))))))))))

You said it all, I wish I was as patient as you. You are always so composed, I know you don't feel it at times, I can just imagine your face now I've said that, but you are, and so kind and selfless.

Love you, Kerry xoxoxoxoxox

[nowheretorun]

Interesting topic poetry... i've wondered how many others may have entertained this idea. Yes, i agree that love of all is an uplifting state of mind, and like you, struggled with certain issues, such as how can I love a child molester, a wife abuser, a murderer? Is it really "all good"?

I guess the best i've come up with is that love for others is not always agreement with others. the love i'm referring to is not a chemistry in the romantic sense but love in a human family sort of way.

like if i someone who did a harm to another, first of course, protect those in harms way, but if i truly want to help the offending party, what better treatment than love? how could i expect him/her to have faith in my point of view about their behaviour if they didn't feel love and acceptance in my expressions?

now i'm not saying love and accept that some wish harm on others, but if one truly believes they know a better way, be the first to set the example. show the offender that kindness is strength, that there is love enough on the planet to reach every individual here.

i also do not believe in playing the fool. perhaps this particular offender is not prepared to accept the glory of love in which case it is best to remove the innocent from harms way. that still does not mean you must stop loving anyone involved.

just my two...

Love all? No I don't love everyone. For me to say this would be to say a lie. I only hate one person though and I will hate him until the day I die.

What is a friend? For me a friend is someone who will stand by me if I stand alone in front of a croud. Someone who will still be there when all others has left. Someone who will not denied he/she is my friend when my back is turned. Someone who is not scare to stand with me.

what is a friend?......in one word......nina...........you are a true friend to those that you love and love you.......you embody the meaning of the word and i love you...*tears*

I have one word...to add...

acceptance...

[WinterRose]

What a beautiful list. It reminds me of two quotes.

"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice."
and
“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”

That is a part of friendship.

I so think this thread is wonderful... thanks...

Thanks all of you for taking part in this thread. Very interesting reading! We all see things through different eyes... that makes it really exciting writing about a subject like this one.

I would like to add a few words...

There are different types of love... love for the human race... can be- you not wanting to kill another person...

If someone hurts me I will react and not just stand there not defending myself... but I do believe that in most times you can solve much more by being kind...
(Jesus also got mad... like when he threw out the business men when they were selling things in his father's house (God's house)... but he still loved people and had a forgiving heart.) I hope I'm not out of line, writing this small religious part.

I think you can love without having to like a person. Depends on what type of love...

If my enemy is about to drown- I'd save him.
To me- God is the judge...

That's my thoughts upon it.

But I don't believe in silence... everyone has to stand up for themselves. But that doesn't mean that you have to step upon others...

These our my personal opinions... only.

(I'm not going to write anything more of a religious character in this forum.)

[Fuzzybear]

Not judging
Unselfishness
Being there in good...and bad.... times
Forgiving
Seeing that nobody (including ourselves) is perfect
Waiting before "reacting" unless in immediate danger (sometimes very hard to do and only we ourselves can sometimes "judge" if we are in emotional danger too........)
Lack of cruelty (which can take many forms)
Working on positive change for ourselves, but not walking away easiily from those who have been there for us
Loyalty
Ability to laugh at ourselves
Sense of humour

[Fuzzybear]

Also - acceptance (thanks freewill and I can't think of a better word! )

[Fuzzybear]