Friendship

Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August every year. It was first proclaimed in the US in 1935 and is now celebrated globally. People express their gratitude towards friends by giving them flowers, cards, or hugs.

Friends vs Friendship - there is a difference

Friends are people we know and like. We all have friends right from early childhood, whether it is the neighbors next door or down the street, at school, at sports or any extra curricular activities, at work, during our commutes or perhaps even a barista at the coffee shop you stop by each morning.However, most of these are usually casual acquaintances where you share just a few moments of your daily life confined to the activity or environment you are in with this person. 

Friendships on the other hand transcend from the "in moment activity driven" exchanges to something more deeper and permanent. These are people who are elevated in status to your inner circle and are tied to your hips (figuratively) in every walk of your life. We can have many friends, but only a few close friendships. I bet you can literally count them with the fingers in your hands. 

Friendship is important for a number of reasons. It provides us with social support, which can help us to cope with stress and difficult times. Friends can also help us to grow and develop as individuals. They can challenge us to think about things in new ways, and they can help us to see the world from a different perspective.

Friendship is also important for our physical health. Studies have shown that people who have strong social ties are more likely to live longer, healthier lives. This is because friends provide us with emotional support, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Friends can also encourage us to exercise and eat healthy, and they can help us to quit smoking and other unhealthy habits.

Best Friends Forever (BFF)

Am not quite sure of the origin of the term BFF, but it certainly became more popular in the era of social media we live in today. As I reflect back into my own life in the past couple decades, I can think of a few BFFs that I know have made a significant impact in my life - either personally or professionally or both. We may not see each other for days or months, sometimes even years, but deep down we have a connection that unites us almost instantly and reconnects the bonds we have had from yesteryears.

Technology has certainly helped rekindle those friendships and made it easier to keep up, no matter what part of the world we live in. There is never an excuse good enough to not connect. BFFs do change over time but not as often. You will notice that over the decades you may add or delete 1-2 but they will remain constant for the most part.

These are "Timeless Friendships'' that one should cherish and ensure there are clear lines of communication to nurture and grow. After all, friends are one of the Core Pillars of a long and healthy life - every medical journal will agree to this fact. Sometimes, beyond family and work, they are the reasons for one's happiness or sadness quotient and often ignored. Humans are social beings and are privileged to distinguish between kith & kin and friends!

BFFs in a Third Life!

As you age and gain more wisdom, become more mature, you will form your own mental model of the world. This mental model is a set of beliefs, assumptions, and expectations about how the world works. It is based on your experiences, your interactions with others, and your learning. Your mental model helps you to make sense of the world and to make decisions. It also influences your behavior and your relationships with others.

When you meet someone who shares your mental model, you feel a sense of connection. You feel like you have found someone who understands you and who you can relate to. This is why BFFs are so important. They are people who share your mental model and who you can always count on. They are the people who make life worth living.

In a third life, you have already lived a full life and you have seen the world. You know what is important to you and you know what you want out of life. You also know what you can expect from others. This makes it even more important to have BFFs who share your mental model and who you can always count on. They are the ones that (even for a brief moment) can give you the thrill and joy of a third life!

We should be grateful for our BFFs and make sure to tell them how much we appreciate them. Have you thanked your BFF today?