Friends Are Equal

In a healthy relationship, friends are equals. Not 50/50 every time, but 50/50 over the long haul.

Dr. Joyce Brothers opined that a healthy friendship is like a seesaw. One person isn't always dominant and the other person isn't always submissive. In any relationship, whether it's friendship, parent/child, or marriage, at some time one is more dominant than the other, but it evens out in the end.

Don't walk in front of me, I might not follow. Don't walk behind me, I might not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.
Author Unknown

Jim Simmons, M.A., says, "All relationships, including friendship, involve a balance of power. When one friend grows, it upsets the balance. The other friend is forced toward growth.
"If that other friend refuses to grow, one of two things will happen. The friendship will end, or it will become stagnant (dead)."

Anytime there is a perceived inequality or imbalance, the door is open for jealousy. Yet jealousy has no place in a friendship.

Anytime you have jealous feelings in a friendship, ask yourself three questions:

1. Do I need to feel jealous about this?
2. Don't I have a choice here?
3. What does she/he have that is more important than our friendship?

You have actually chosen to be who and what you are. Therefore, there is no reason to be jealous of anyone. Once you have answered these three questions, you will probably realize nothing is more important than your friendship.