Why good friends just might save your relationship

14 Nov

Friendships are life-affirming and life-sustaining... and an integral “part” of a healthy relationship.

Let me explain. Having been married for 21 years, I’ve learned there are many times over the course of a relationship when you’ll need friends to lean on for the support or guidance that your partner can’t give you. It’s simply not realistic or fair to expect your partner to be your everything , despite what Andy Gibb sang in his indoctrinating ‘70s song. Whether it’s emotional support or a wise word, it not only takes a village to raise to a child, it can take a village to help keep us grounded in life… and in our relationship and even in parenting. I have a number of amazing friends who have helped me be a better mum and better partner than I may otherwise have been.

In discussing this with a client recently, we came up with some of the qualities to look for in a good friend. Here’s what we came up with:

Good friends…

· Keep their word

· Are honest

· Have your best interests at heart

· Respect you

· Are kind to you

· Have a generosity of spirit

· Speak highly of you, even when you’re not there

· See you as equal to them

· Are mutuality supportive

· Genuinely care about you