Friends to Keep
There are two major categories of friends. Those that add value in life and those that are of parasitic in nature.
A story is told of 2 good friends, hare and hippopotamus who challenged each other to a race. Cunning hare came first of course but hippo decided to do a rematch with one condition. That they do it across the stream. As you would have it, hippo won this time round. Disappointed hare then realized that he was at the losing end and so asked if they could do at both place...across the stream to the land on the other side. But this time round as a team. And they both won because across the stream hare climbed on hippo and on land hare pulled on hippo to the finish line.
Friendship is not for competition rather about complimenting each other. At extremes, let there be positive competition.
For Keep
Positive minded
Life is full of challenges, and how we approach these challenges is what matters. Even in crisis, it's important to stay positive. If you keep positive vibed guys close to you, you will surely smell of positivity. Imagine having a person who keeps telling you that you can start a business even when you have nothing at hand but because he believes in your vision. That's definitely a friend for keep.
Authentic
Many are the fake people around us. Those who laugh with us when things are tough and when they are sure we are heading to the pit but will not tell us. An authentic friend will tell us the truth even when we do not want to hear it. They may feel harsh but they are true. So when they say we are smart, we know and believe it.
Inspirational and motivational
There are people around us who are not only motivational speakers But also very inspirational in our lives. People we can look up to as mentors and role models. Friends as such need to be more because we are all round people...family, academic, career wise just to name a few. In each category we need at least one we can look up to.
Critic
Many of us don't like critics. However these are people who help us look keenly at whatever thing we are doing. Projects, family just to name a few need critics to help us review and assess our situations. Positive criticism is even more precise and much needful in the human life. People who tell us that our dress code does not match the occasion. Often times we will hate them but they shape us to be smart people. We just need to take their criticism positively.
Explorer and adventurer
I love nature and traveling. But most importantly, I love exploring. Have you tried a road trip before with a friend? It could have been of long distance or short one. Did you learn something? Did you enjoy the trip? Friends who are adventurous help us out of our comfort zones into reaching our full potential. These are friends you will definitely need to keep.
Drop Off
Destroyer
A friend who just loves or thrives in discord and war is someone you will want to drop and leave them in the old year. Do not engage one who likes to see you sad. Neither should you engage those who will merry in your break ups. Pretenders are worse than murderers they say. Just keep off.
Extravagant
Do you have people around you who are about spending and more spending? Even with as much money as you might be having, it's such a pity being a spendthrift. We need to be accountable at all times by all means with the much that is left under our care. We therefore need friends who keep us on check over the same rather than those who make us want to spend extravagantly for nothing.
Pessimist
As much as we might not have much, faith and hope is key in our human lives. However, we have friends who are there to just pull us down with negativity and discouragement. Pessimistic friends will want to tell us how good for nothing we are and how we cannot do things we want to do because of the few resources we lack like money, wealth and power. These friends need not be carried forward for the brand new year.
Traditionalist
Have you come across people who want to do things as they did last year or as they have been doing? These people are staunch and might not be up for change. Life however is very dynamic and need flexible friends to help make decisions according to the changing times. Drop friends who will want you to remain stagnated in the midst of technological advancements. Don't get me wrong though, it's always good to be true to your roots at all times and know where we came from but it's also important that we be ready for change whenever need be.
Show me your friend they say, and I will tell you who you are.
And bad company corrupts good morals. By all means, let's watch our friends and let our friends be those who watch our back.