This I Believe

What gives life meaning? Everyone has their own distinct belief regarding what gives purpose and direction to life. As for me, I believe that the relationships we build define us. Friendship is an integral aspect of our lives, as it provides us with necessary companionship, emotional support, and intellectual, as well as social, challenges. I believe in friendship.

Friendship is a necessity in our society, which is encumbered by increasing social disconnectivity. Human companionship offers a way to connect with others and build positive relationships that fill the loneliness in our increasingly isolated lives. The emotional bonds that we form with our peers are often the only certainty in our uncertain lives. Companionship, in its truest form, is enduring. Friends never abandon each other, and they are always available to offer support. Friendship is an important part of our lives, and it is one of the most significant relationships that humans can share with one another.

Friendship is a necessity because it provides us with emotional support in times of dire stress or need. Friends appeal to our emotions in a variety of ways. Supportive friends inspire confidence in our character, giving us the strength to put ourselves in situations that benefit us both personally and professionally. Friends comfort us in times of stress or suffering. A friend will do more to repair psychological damage in one hour than a psychiatrist could do in a week. Friends provide an outlet for the expression of repressed feelings that would not ordinarily be divulged. Friendship provides necessary relief in times of great need and personal frailty.

Friends force us to be the best versions of ourselves. They challenge us socially by putting us in difficult social situations that help us discover our true natures. Friends also challenge us by promoting competition. The competition offered by friends forces us to perform to the best of our abilities. Most importantly, our friends make us analyze ourselves, allowing us to view our faults and highlight our strengths.

We live in a socially disconnected world where genuine, lasting relationships seldom present themselves. I believe that friendship is powerful enough to overcome the barriers lying between individuals in society. Friendship is the most powerful force at work in my life. It provides me with companionship and emotional support. Most importantly, friendship allows me to be the best version of myself, enabling me to live life to its fullest extent.