I am indeed blest to have friends who I can trust. The truth is nobody wants to deal with friends they can’t trust to give their sincere opinion. You always want to know your friends’ opinion instead of them just accepting whatever you say to them because you are friends. If there is no sincerity and honesty between friends then that relationship is not worth it, One way or the other honesty is a way of showing respect to your friends and it proves that you are not fake.
A sincere friend will find a way to tell you something that may be difficult for you to hear. For example, he/she will tell you if she suspects you drink too much even if saying that to you presents the possibility that you may become angry and irrational and walk away from the friendship. Dr. Alex Lickerman states in an article on the Psychology Today website that a sincere friend is not malicious; they will point out things that may be hard to hear only when they believe that telling you this information is in your best interests.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 27:6
Telling your friends something they really don’t want to hear takes courage. It says that you care about the person even more than you value the friendship. However, as we all know, it isn’t very easy to have these conversations. It isn’t easy to look your friend in the eye and tell them the truth about how you feel. Also, there is a very fine line between showing concern and coming across as judging your friend’s actions/words. We’ve been on both sides I am sure. Sometimes the friend you feel is judging you isn’t the enemy. On some occasions they are just brave enough to take the flack, in the hope that you’ll do what is in your best interest. It’s always helpful to think about whether or not you are being arbitrarily criticised or whether it is coming from a sincere place of concern.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate those who have the courage to tell you what you don’t want to hear – but need to hear.
Here’s a lovely poem by Edgar A. Guest
I hold no dream of fortune vast,
Nor seek undying fame.
I do not ask when life is past
That many know my name.
I may not own the skill to rise
To glory’s topmost height,
Nor win a place among the wise,
But I can keep the right.
And I can live my life on earth
Contented to the end,
If but a few shall know my worth
And proudly call me friend.
Kenrick Vaz 