The raw side of friendship

Lately, I've been contemplating the essence of true friendship. I've come to the realization that it transcends mere assistance and loyalty. In my perspective, a genuine friendship should be founded on principles such as respect, love, consideration, and honesty. I don't consider myself a bad friend when I assert that I won't compromise my integrity by lying for someone, and then, It really depends on the situation. It's not about refusing to help; it's about staying true to my own character. I won't bend my principles just to protect someone else's relationships or bad actions. Recently, I've been reflecting on the challenges of being in such a position, even when my intentions are pure and well-meaning. It saddens me that there may be a lack of acknowledgment regarding the sacrifices I made, driven by the love I had for my friend. A true friend, in my opinion, would take into account my feelings and thoughts, rather than putting me in a difficult position due to their own selfish reasons. If a friendship involves such scenarios, it raises questions about its authenticity. Despite the potential sense of loss, I still feel like I've gained valuable insights that are significant to me. I now can see who's genuine and who I can call a true friend.I used to believe that when people came to me to share deep and personal matters, it was a sign of immense trust. However, lately, I've been reconsidering this perspective, particularly in light of some individuals I've encountered. While some feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, emotions, and intentions with me, believing I won't be judgmental, which I won't by the way, I've begun to recognize that this level of trust doesn't always equate to genuine care or respect for my perspectives. Well, It's not all black and white. It really depends on of course. I'm not saying that just because someone is willing to be vulnerable is a bad sign.   It's becoming apparent that certain individuals may share openly not necessarily because they value my opinions or appreciate the energy I bring, but rather because they are unconcerned about how they can be perceived by me. They reserve this level of openness for specific people whom they hold in high regard or consider to be of higher status, that says a lot even though they may not be aware of it now. This realization has led me to ponder the multifaceted nature of trust in relationships. While it's positive that people feel at ease sharing with me, it's equally important to assess whether the reciprocity of care and consideration is present. True trust, in my eyes, involves not only being open but also valuing the insights and feelings of the person you confide in.