How do you feel when you're around your friends?
Comfortable and accepted? Or like you're not good
enough, or constantly having to act cool?
If there is a difference of opinion, how is it dealt
with? Do you discuss it thoroughly? Are your opinions
listened to and treated with respect?
Are confidences respected? Are secrets kept? On both
sides? If you have the urge to gossip about your friend,
then you aren't being one.
Do you guys have fun together? And when you have fun,
what do you do? If you took away the main activity
you do together (maybe it's basketball, maybe it's beer)
would you still have a good time? That is, is
the friendship strong in itself or reliant upon external
factors to keep it going?
And the big one ...
Are you honest with each other? Any lie leads to mistrust.
I have to say that this is the one I'm most concerned
about with you, because of the comment you made about
self disclosure being difficult. Sharing thoughts and
feelings is part of every healthy relationship.
Good luck!
