“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher” – Oprah Winfrey.
Every year July 30thdesignated by the United Nations General Assembly (U.N.) is celebrated as International Friendship Day and it’s all about celebrating the friendships that are so important to us.On July 30, we step back and get thankful for these relationships worldwide, as they promote and encourage peace, happiness, and unity. True friendship is about being there for your friend in times of hardship. Sometimes the best friendships are the ones that aren’t expected. Your best friends can be your family members, teachers, mentors, or childhood friends. In fact, some friendships are so special that they defy words to describe them.A lot of research has been done into the benefits of friendships and how they enrich our lives, which has gone on to show that strong social support will boost your happiness, improve self confidence and increase your sense of belonging and purpose.As much as our friendships are important in day to day life, they are particularly vital in helping us to deal with life’s traumas such as bereavements, relationship breakdowns, illness and financial burdens.Friendships may extend our lives, help to keep our minds sharp and our friends make us generally healthier.Our best friends get us through the tough times.Friends influence us, whether it’s good or bad!Celebrating National Best Friends Day is a wonderful way to honor and appreciate the special bonds we share with our closest friends. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge the support, laughter, and love they bring into our lives, and to express gratitude for their presence. Plus, it’s a chance to strengthen those friendships by spending quality time together and creating lasting memories.It’s a time to show appreciation for the friends who support and uplift us, whether through small gestures or grand gestures of friendship. One must keep in mind that there is no good in the companion who does not wish for us (from good) what he wishes for himself. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: “The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows.. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.”Good companionship, choosing and having good companions is extremely important for many reasons such as mankind cannot live alone; every individual must live and interact with others. Those people who you sit with and make your friends are inevitably going to fall into one of two categories. Either they are going to be good individuals – who guide and encourage you towards what is good and help you or they are going to be bad – encouraging you to do what is pleasing to Shaytaan, that which misleads you. This shows the importance of avoiding keeping bad companions. International Friendship Day has a rich history that dates back to 1930 when it was first proposed by the founder of Hallmark cards, Joyce Hall. He believed that friendships deserved recognition and appreciation, just like any other significant occasion. However, the idea took shape and gained popularity in 1958 when Dr. Ramon Artemio Bracho, a Paraguayan philosopher, and professor, advocated for a dedicated day to celebrate friendship. In his mind, Friendship Day would foster peace and harmony by strengthening the bond between people from different backgrounds. The United Nations officially recognized the concept of International Friendship Day in 2011, further emphasizing its importance in building bridges across cultures and promoting social harmony. Over the years, countries around the world have embraced International Friendship Day, celebrating it in various ways, from exchanging heartfelt gifts to spending quality time with friends and reaffirming their commitment to the relationships that matter most. The United Nations hasn’t announced the official theme for International Friendship Day 2024 yet. The theme will probably be revealed closer to July 30th, 2024. However, International Friendship Day still serves as a global opportunity to:-
Highlight the importance of friendship and its positive effects on people and communities. Encourage everyone to value and care for their current friendships. Promote forming new friendships across different cultures and backgrounds. Celebrate the joy, support, and meaning that connections and human relationships bring to life. Hand in Hand, Heart to Heart means true friendship. True friendship transcends time, distance, and circumstances. It is a sanctuary where we can be our authentic selves, without judgment or pretense. Genuine friends lift us when we are down, celebrate our triumphs, and lend a listening ear in moments of despair. They provide the unwavering support that sustains us through life’s trials and tribulations, making the journey more manageable and enjoyable. We know that one of the most significant aspects of true friendship is trust. Friends confide in each other, knowing that their secrets are safe. Trust is the foundation upon which lasting friendships are built, and it requires open communication, honesty, and reliability. A true friend is someone you can count on, no matter the circumstances, and knowing that they have your back brings immeasurable comfort. Friendship does not only bring joy and happiness but also has a significant impact on our physical and mental well-being. Numerous research studies have shown that strong social connections lead to a longer, healthier life. Friends offer emotional support, reducing stress and anxiety, which in turn boosts our immune system and overall health. Having close friends can also be a buffer against depression and loneliness, providing a sense of belonging and purpose.
“International Friendship Day 2024 will serve as a heartwarming reminder of the beauty of true friendships. It will be a day to express gratitude to the friends who have touched our lives, nurtured our growth, and enriched our existence in infinite ways. As we celebrate this special occasion, let us cherish the memories, treasure the moments, and continue to cultivate the unbreakable bonds that define true friendship. May Friendship Day inspire us to be better friends, showing kindness, empathy, and understanding to those who share this extraordinary journey of life with us.”
In today’s fast-paced world, where technology often substitutes for face-to-face interactions, the quality of our friendships can be compromised. It is crucial to prioritize spending time with friends in person, engaging in meaningful conversations, and sharing experiences. Genuine connections flourish when nurtured with care and attention.International Friendship Day 2024 will serve as a beautiful reminder of the unforgettable memories we will create with our friends. From childhood escapades to teenage adventures and adulthood triumphs, every memory etches itself into the fabric of our lives. These shared experiences, whether big or small, form the basis of countless inside jokes, stories, and nostalgic moments that bring laughter and warmth whenever recollected.As time passes and life takes its course, revisiting these memories helps us hold on to our friendships, even when distance separates us. Friendship Day is an ideal occasion to reminisce about the cherished moments we’ve had with our friends, rekindling the flames of camaraderie and reinforcing our commitment to preserving these precious relationships. On this special day, friends come together to celebrate their unique bond and express gratitude for one another. There are numerous ways to celebrate Friendship Daylike Exchange of gifts, Handwritten Letters, Spending time together, Acts of Kindness. We live in a tough world. Between miscommunications, mistreatment, lack of trust, discrimination, and cultural discord, prioritizing peace seemingly has less of a presence in the global society. There really is no reason for the world not to exist in some harmonious form. We have the United Nations to thank for helping to remind us all that there is some good in this world. We were first introduced to International Day of Friendship in 2011; this special day goes beyond connecting people and builds bridges among cultures, countries, and even ideologies. Friendship and connections are synonymous with bonding, and building those common bonds goes beyond sharing a trait, characteristic, or favorite pastime with another person or group, but also includes promoting a global commitment and understanding of diversity and inclusion. Even in our differences, we can find common ground. Physical appearances, differences of opinions, political views, tastes, music, and more are not reasons to separate people. Relationships are bigger than that, and the UN works to promote kindness and togetherness every July. Celebrating friendships through things as simple as a brief note, a coffee hang out, going to a concert, or taking a trip to the mall are all ways to find commonalities. Again, we have more in common than we all realize. And any idea that minimizes the amount of hatred and disdain spread throughout the world is the kind we want to be shared. We’d like to think that something we all have in common.Before the U.N. made its designation, the very first World Friendship Day was proposed in 1958 by the World Friendship Crusade, which is an international civil organization that campaigns to foster peaceful culture through friendship.Many people use the day to spend quality time with their best friends, exchange gifts, or simply reminisce about fond memories together. It’s a wonderful opportunity to strengthen friendships and express gratitude for the people who make life brighter.Humans have always been social creatures and in need of friends and companions. Much of our lives are spent in interaction with others. The person most noble in character and dealings with fellow humans gave us a very clear message and advice in regard to friendship. We should choose the friend that is satisfied with our Deen and avoid the friend that is displeased with it.On International Day of Friendship, those friends who are there for us, call us out on our stubbornness, sacrifice their time for us when everyone else is busy adulting, show up in the middle of the night to cheer us up, and even our long-distance friends whose friendship has sustained across borders, are celebrated.The meaning of friendship is different for everyone. And the bond of friendship also varies. People we have known for a long time may not be close to us, whereas, we may consider someone who we have only known for a short period of time as a best friend to us. This is why traditions and celebrations are different for everyone. There are low-key ways to celebrate the day like simply hanging out with friends and doing our ‘thing,’ or more elaborate ways like hosting parties, exchanging presents, and expressing how important they are in our lives. Another common tradition on International Day of Friendship is to reach out and reconnect with friends with whom we haven’t been in touch for a while. The statistics says, 22% – the percentage of people who live longer if they have a close friendship network.2 – the average number of best friends an adult has.1994 – the year when the hit television show “Friends” first aired.26% – the percentage of people who come into conflict with their friends over something posted online.2 times – the likelihood of women with breast cancer dying if they don’t have a network of friends.9 months – the age at which babies start recognizing friendships.36% – the percentage of people who quit a habit if their friends quit it too.7 times – the likelihood of a person being more productive at work if their close friend works there too.10–25 – the number of hours a week young adults spend socializing.57% – the percentage of teens who make a close friend online. In conclusion, International Friendship Day 2024 will serve as a heartwarming reminder of the beauty of true friendships. It will be a day to express gratitude to the friends who have touched our lives, nurtured our growth, and enriched our existence in infinite ways. As we celebrate this special occasion, let us cherish the memories, treasure the moments, and continue to cultivate the unbreakable bonds that define true friendship. May Friendship Day inspire us to be better friends, showing kindness, empathy, and understanding to those who share this extraordinary journey of life with us.
(The authors write regularly for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
