Being Friends/Daily Practice: Cultivating True Friendship

Friends have fun together

Here’s a “Being Friends” Daily Practice Checklist, inspired by the Being Friends Wikiversity module.[1] It highlights key qualities—such as loyalty, empathy, candor, and support—so you can consciously nurture deeper, authentic friendships every day.

Morning — Set Your Friendship Intention

  • Reflect on the core of genuine friendship: a dynamic, reciprocal connection built on trust, shared experiences, loyalty, and caring support.
  • Choose a guiding intention for the day, like: “Today, I’ll show up as a loyal, caring, and authentic friend.”

Throughout the Day — Embodying Friendly Behaviors

Use any of these reminders to guide your interactions:

  1. Be Present & Show Up — Be reliable and available for your friends, whether sharing a celebration or offering a listening ear.
  2. Have Their Back — Offer support and understanding, whether they’re uplifted or struggling.
  3. Speak with Candor — Communicate honestly and gently, with caring candor that builds trust.
  4. Offer Empathy & Care — Attune yourself to their emotional states and respond with understanding.
  5. Share Thoughtfully — Share your thoughts, feelings, or time sincerely and openly.
  6. Foster Trust — Keep confidences and act in ways that reinforce reliability.
  7. Lend a Helping Hand — Offer practical or emotional help, grounded in empathy and goodwill.
  8. Be a Good Listener — Listen deeply, without judgment or distraction, valuing what they share.
  9. Laugh Together — Cultivate joy through shared humor, lightness, and connection.
  10. Practice Forgiveness — Let go of past hurts; preserve the bond through empathy and understanding.
  11. Offer Encouragement & Motivation — Inspire your friends toward their goals with kind words and confidence.
  12. Include & Celebrate — Invite friends to join in experiences, celebrate successes, and foster belonging.
  13. Give Thoughtful Advice — Share guidance rooted in care, respect, and wisdom—not judgment.
  14. Understand & Accept — Show acceptance of their authentic self, embracing their flaws and strengths.
  15. Challenge with Love — Encourage growth and honesty, gently pushing your friends toward their best selves when needed.

Evening — Reflect & Grow

Use this short reflection to close your day:

Reflection Prompt Your Notes
Moments of Presence When did I truly show up or support a friend today?
Acts of Caring or Candor Did I listen deeply or speak honestly with kindness?
Signs of Trust & Support In what ways did I reinforce trust or help my friend?
Shared Joy or Forgiveness Did we laugh or let go of a small grievance together?
Room for Tomorrow Which friendly quality will I focus on cultivating next?

Optional affirmation to close your day:

“I am a loyal, empathetic, and authentic friend.”

  1. ↑ ChatGPT generated this text responding to the prompt: Generate an ‘being friends’ daily practice checklist based on the materials at: https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Being_Friends
This article is issued from Wikiversity. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.