Recipe for a healthy friendship

They call themselves “The Golden Girls” and every time one of them has a birthday, they all gather together to celebrate. Some have faith, others were skeptics. They were country girls, they were city girls, married girls and single girls and their ages spanned 15 years.

So what is the glue that has held these women close for decades?

“We like each other” was the response.

Huh? That’s it?

So today, I’d simply like to talk about what makes a good friend. Author and researcher, Brene Brown says it best and uses the anacronym BRAVING to describe the elements of a trusting friendship..

It stands for: Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Nonjudgment, and Generosity.

• Boundaries: Setting clear expectations about what is okay and not okay in a relationship.

• Reliability: Doing what you say you will do, consistently.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of mistakes and making amends.

• Vault: Keeping confidences and not sharing information that isn't yours to share.

• Integrity: Choosing courage over comfort and living by your values.

• Nonjudgment: Being able to ask for help and support without fear of judgment.

• Generosity: Assuming the best intentions in others.

Did the Golden Girls always like each other? Maybe- but I’m guessing there were times when they disagreed strongly, or feelings were hurt when a careless word was spoken, or perhaps when a confidence was broken.

But they hung in and did the hard work of showing up, ‘fessing up and showing up again.

And that, dear reader, is golden.