What does it mean to be a friend? Remove the letter a and you get a new word.

Be a friend. Be friend. Befriend: to become or act as a friend to.

To become or act as. The definition itself implies action, effort, and progress.

Look back on all the relationships in your life. Did they just show up at your feet one day? Did they come to you? I’m guessing they exist because you pursued them—because you were actively engaged in growing them.

They say it takes two to Tango. And that is true of all the relationships in our lives. There is a give and a take. But the give has to come first. And if there is no reciprocation, there is no relationship.

People sometimes say they are trapped in a one-sided relationship. This is impossible. It can’t exist. Without two or more vested parties there is no relationship. It might have the appearance of a relationship. It might feel like a relationship. It might have all the trappings of a relationship. But it doesn’t exist. There is just a Taker and the poor, hopeful Giver pursuing them.

Want to have great, deep, intimate friendships? Become the friend everyone wishes they had.

To your good fortune!