https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcwNMLaEkfwXJLsvY2VoLWCRJbN69V3bnxssi4CKLgy9E/InCollage_20231115_70004367.jpg^{Edited with photocollage}

Hello everyone, welcome to my blog at this very moment, I'm glad to take part in this contest theme "Friendship; it's important in our lives" and I would love my friends to also come and be part of the contest. _@dave-hanny @jasminemary and @josepha_

Before I go ahead to answer the question below I would love to remind us what friendship is all about based on my understanding. Friendship can be seen as a mutual relationship between two or more individuals to support, encourage, share emotional connection, keep companionship, and also help each other in times of need. For that reason, friendship is very important if you are with the right people.

*** `What qualities do you value most in a friend? Why are these qualities important to you?` *** https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmaYgAi6ptN7S7ewv9twaFLwPc6BpJ58SisQJTqFv5b6EJ/pexels-photo-8760417.jpeg^{[Image source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-laughing-together-on-the-beach-8760417/)}

The quality I value most in friends is trust I believe with trust any other quality will be settled. In a relationship when there is no trust between the individuals then that friendship will not go a long way so for me trust is the foundation of any friendship. And once you trust your friend your mind will be at peace knowing fully well that the person can keep your secret and also be open to you at all times.

*** `Have you ever had a disagreement or conflict with a friend? How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience?` ***

Sure I did, and that was during my university days, normally I'm the type of person who doesn't keep too many friends around me but once I blend with a person then we become friends. But one thing I believe in life is that no one is perfect except our creator so for that reason I usually keep it in mind that one day I will have a disagreement with my friends and I believe that's normal but what keeps the friendship moving is the understanding between us, in as much as I understand my friend to some certain level they understand me to.

Whenever we hard issue and if I know I'm not at fault I will lay low for some hours before calling my friends so that we can settle whatever the argument is. And I must make sure the issue is being resolved before we go to sleep. I also try to settle it amicably without any conflict so that the next time such an incident will not happen. Life is very simple once the understanding is there then everything will be fine.

*** `What role does trust play in a friendship? How do you build and maintain trust with your friends?` *** https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbScxmM7U22Xn17LqBKXdbUhxzPDFJ288KjKtpHmCnARE/pexels-photo-3921976.jpeg^{[Image source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/friends-holding-bottles-of-beer-3921976/)}

Well, as I mentioned above trust is the foundation of every relationship and friendship, and we know once the foundation is poor then the building itself will collapse. Trust plays a vital role in a friendship and one can build trust by understanding your friends, being open to oneself, not keeping secrets above all being reliable. When friends rely on each other they will both have confidence in themselves and at that point, they will understand that their security is very secure with each other.

*** `How do you support your friends during challenging times? What are some ways you show empathy and offer help when they need it?` *** https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRqWqNCF3WRXjU4HghyLKcZY2uMPB3rTT7w54WpSEKsZr/pexels-photo-6383158.jpeg ^{[Image source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/crop-woman-tapping-shoulder-of-frustrated-female-friend-6383158/)}

One of the things in very sure about my friends is that I don't let them down whenever they are in need, this is the part I always get wrong with friends because most of them do take it for granted but even at that I still assist ist in the little way I can.

Before I show empathy to my friend, I always make sure that we both understand ourselves first because people are different there are some people that if you try to be emphatic with them when they are depressed, they see it as an insult or a kind pity, I'm not saying this not to write something down but is out of the experience I had with one of my friends.

But in general, the way I emphatic with my friends is by giving them listening ears first to know what the issue is, then I will analyze the issue after which I come up with a good suggestion on how the issues will be resolved and if it is something that I can do for that friend at the moment then I will do it just to make the friend happy.

*** `What does it mean to be a good friend? How do you strive to be a good friend to those around you?` *** https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPSpM5NqbjLek12w6BkpSTTzu7ETvwRJJQyHiDvLQaWYu/pexels-photo-5119612_1.jpeg^{[Image source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-tank-top-lying-on-bed-5119612/)}

Being a good friend is very simple, first understand the type of friends you are with, know what they can do and what they can't do, always be open to your friends, share your worries with them that's if you trust them, respect each other, always stand by them when they need you the most above all, let there be communication between friends because it also plays a good role in friendship. that way your friendship will go a long way with the individual and you both will enjoy the importance of being friends.

*** ` Conclusion ` ***

In conclusion, friendship is very important to everyone but it's good to know the type of friends we keep because some will lead us to the wrong part of life while some will always be there for us so when choosing your friends do it wisely.

_Thank you...._