Random Rantings:

This week, there is an issue which weighs heavily on my mind. The issue is friendship. What makes a friend? Is it someone who would give you the shirt off of his back right before laying down in front of a speeding train for you? Is it a guy who would fight to the death beside you in a crowd of drunken rednecks? Is it a fellow who you can hit in the stomach with a baseball bat for fun? Is it something deeper than all of these?

In my opinion, a true friend is someone you would do all of these things for and expect nothing in return. They are not your friends because they pick you up when you are out of gas. He is your friend because you didn't let him drown his cat in the pool when he was drunk. She is your pal because you held her hair for her when she threw up before her wedding. He is your friend because you didn't think twice about saying that you hit his mom's car just to cover up the fact that he took it for a joyride the night before and ran it into a tree. She is your friend because you beat the hell out of her boyfriend just so she wouldn't have to get blood on her prom dress. Get my point?

Think carefully, and be honest. Can you think of a handfull of people who you would do anything for? Can you think of even a single person you would die for? If you were honest, you said "no." Don't get mad, you can argue all you want. The fact remains that you had to think about it. If you have to think about it even for a microsecond, the answer is "no."

To be a true friend, you have to be willing to do anything for them without thought. If they need you to run naked accros campus, you'd better be half way through the quad before they finish the sentence. If they need you to fight for them, call an ambulance first, if you're anything like me, you'll need it. If they are being self destructive, help them, even if it requires the use of a Louisville Slugger.

True friendship is not a measure of thier dedication to you. True friendship is a measure of your dedication to them. Now, I'm not saying that people don't use others. People have used other people since the beginning of time. If a friend is using you, do them a favor and beat some sence into them (take that proverbially or literally, either way, they'll be better for it).

So, examine your friendships. In so doing, examine yourself.

By the way, if your friend stinks, tell him to BATHE!