In my previous article, I mentioned the need for us to rise again. I emphasized that self-love is very critical and vital to that rise. This time, I want to draw your attention to support needed to rise. Sometimes, we need the push of true and genuine friends to help us rise. In a world filled with noise, pressure, and the constant pursuit of success, one thing remains quite yet profound. The force behind every dream fulfilled sometimes requires genuine friendship push. While the world often teaches us to be self-sufficient, to climb alone, and to fight battles in silence, the truth is this: nobody rises alone. Behind every great achievement, every comeback story, and every fulfilled dream, there is usually a friend, a true one whose presence, advice, and sacrifice made all the difference. True friendship is not just about shared laughter, dinners, or pictures on social media. It is about presence when the world is silent, support when you are sinking, and belief when your own heart doubts. It is about someone standing in your corner when you are too weary to fight and whispering, “You can do this,” when you are ready to give up. Let me share with you these six (6) points to help you appreciate the power of true friendship:
1.
Friendship: The Fuel for Dreams
Everyone has
a dream. For some, it is to become a doctor, artist, entrepreneur, or leader.
But along the road to that dream, there are valleys—valleys of self-doubt,
fear, failure, and fatigue. This is where true friends step in, not just with
words, but with actions. They become your mirror when you can't see your worth.
They remind you of your purpose when you feel lost. True friends are not
intimidated by your ambition. They water your dreams, even if their own lives
are dry. They push you, challenge you, and celebrate your small wins like they
were their own. They don’t see your journey as competition; they see it as a
shared mission, a purpose worth fighting for together.
2.
Support That Transforms
Support in
friendship goes beyond casual encouragement. It’s showing up at your lowest
hour. It’s staying on the phone all night when you feel like giving up. It’s
sacrificing their time, resources, and even comfort to make sure you don’t
drown in despair. There are friends who will walk through fire for you—not
because they have to, but because they believe in your fire, your passion, and
your potential. They become your accountability partners, your motivators, and
your emotional lifeline. They are there when the crowd disappears. And that
kind of support has the power to resurrect dead dreams.
3.
Advice: The Voice of Wisdom and Love
Many have
taken wrong turns because they lacked a friend bold enough to say, “That’s not
the right path.” A genuine friend is not a cheerleader who applauds every move;
they are a compass, guiding with love, wisdom, and truth. They will speak life
into you, but they will also tell you when you are wrong with respect and care.
Their advice is born out of deep understanding and a desire to see you win.
They know your weaknesses and still love you. They know your fears and still
push you. And in a world full of flattery and pretense, that kind of counsel is
priceless.
4.
Sacrifice: The Mark of True Love
Friendship
without sacrifice is shallow. True friends give when it costs them. When you
are unable to stand, they carry you. When you are empty, they pour into you.
They give even when they are bleeding, because your healing matters to them.
That is the heart of true friendship. Imagine a world where friends don’t
compete but complete each other. Where loyalty is stronger than ego, and love
is louder than silence. In that world, no one walks alone and no dream dies
untimely.
5.
For Those Who’ve Lost Hope
To those
reading this who feel broken by betrayal or discouraged by shallow connections,
hear this: true friendship still exists. Don’t let the past rob you of the joy
that the right people can bring into your life. There are friends out there who
are waiting to walk with you, support you, advise you, and even sacrifice for
you. You just haven’t met them yet or maybe you have, and you didn’t recognize
their quiet strength. Don’t stop believing. Don’t stop hoping. But most
importantly, be the kind of friend you seek. Because sometimes, being that
friend first draws others like you. Light attracts light.
6.
Final Words: A Call to Walk Together
Great dreams
were never meant to be chased alone. Behind every fulfilled purpose is a group
of hearts that stood strong in the shadows. Find those hearts. Treasure them.
And be one yourself. Let friendship be your bridge when you can’t fly. Let it
be your anchor when you drift. And let it be your fire when life turns cold.
Because when the right people walk with you, even the impossible becomes
inevitable.
Dr.
Alexander Nii Odartey Lamptey
(BA,
MBA, POST, MA, PhD)
Empowering
hearts. Transforming lives. Igniting purpose.