Throughout the course of life, we are fortunate to meet people and build relationships with them.  Even on a platform like Steemit, we engage in conversations, follow people that interest us, and form friendships with people we've never met.

Unfortunately, not everyone who smiles at you is a friend.  There are many "frenemies" around us who try to break us down .

 "Frenemy" (less commonly spelled "frienemy") is an oxymoron and a portmanteau of "friend" and "enemy" that refers to "a person with whom one is friendly, despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry" or "a person who combines the characteristics of a friend and an enemy" 

Source

I can categorize them as follows:

- Fakes: You can spot a fake from a mile away.  They pretend to smile and all we see is an upside down frown.

- Users: They only know you when they want something.

- Abusers: Plays with your emotions and kicks you when you're down.

- Liars: They actually think we believe them.

- Manipulators: It's just sad that we should breathe in the same air as they do.

When I check my list, I can actually put faces next to each of them and I'm sure you can too.  It's frightening isn't it?  I know someone who carries all of these titles around - must be a damn heavy load!

Source

But what is a friend?

Robert Louis Stevenson sure hit the nail on the head when he said:

Source

You wouldn't give yourself a poisonous pet snake to be your friend, would you? In the same way you wouldn't give yourself an enemy.  

Get rid of the poisonous snakes that poisons your life with unhappiness.  Gift yourself with a friend who brings out the best in you and treasure them as you want them to treasure you!

Source

I'm very lucky to have a couple of real friends.  @busybeee, I don't know where I will EVER find a friend like you ever again!!! You carry me through all of life's ups and downs each and every day and I will miss you terribly! You've inspired this post and I dedicate it to you.  

Team South Africa banner designed by @bearone