How to build lasting friendships?

WE OFTEN wonder what kind of friendships are lasting and how to have genuine friendships - the kind that do not end after a few arguments. Some of us wonder whether we can trust people of other backgrounds enough to become their friends.

- FLORA TECKIE

The International Day of Friendship – celebrated on July 30 - was a reminder of the great value in genuine, lasting, and all-embracing friendships.

Lasting fellowships and friendships are founded on sincerity, they are based on trust, and on a strong spiritual bond, rather than physical and material attractions.

The Bahá'í Writings counsel: “Be ye sincerely kind, not in appearance only,” and “Do not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path”.

To be sincere and loving are basic requirements of true friendships. Good intentions and noble ideas – to agree on the importance of friendship and to talk about it, or to express one's love for others in words – are not enough. Such thoughts and words must be translated into action.

The competitive attitude, prevalent in so many aspects of life, and trying to always win, often at the expense of others, promotes separateness rather than unity and harmony.