faithfulness

a character trait that i value very much: faithfulness. not so much specifically in the marriage, boy/girl relationship sense (which of course i do as well!), but more so in the religious use of the word, but used in the context of friends. that sounds highly confusing, i know - that's why i'm trying to write it down so i can figure out what i mean.

in dictionary.com, the word is defined as follows:
faith‧ful [feyth-fuhl] –adjective
1. strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker.
2. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
3. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
4. reliable, trusted, or believed.
5. adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original; accurate: a faithful account; a faithful copy.
6. full of faith; believing.

and so i think my definition of faithful revolves mostly around (3) and (4). to me, being steady in affection and loyal to my close friends is extremely important. and vice versa. i look for reliable people, ppl i can depend on, ppl who will listen to and love me through the ridiculousness of life, and still believe (see def (6)) and know why we are friends. and i look to do the same.

but you know, human nature simply isn't like that, is it? we are too selfish, too judging to actually love and live like that. and so i think it's rare, rare and special just to find a few ppl who you can call faithful - faithful friends and faithful to you. and so i guess i strive for that, but can i ever succeed? those who are true, they will be there for you. but those who are not? in your times of ick, should you hurt their feelings, break their moral codes - *poof* - they go byebye. and those friends? they are not faithful. and in response, i have no desire to be in return. that makes me unfaithful too.