Loyalty—The Quality I Value Most in a Friend.

Daily writing prompt

What quality do you value most in a friend?

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Hello, dear friends.

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood, wrapped in sunshine and a sip of your favorite tea.

Today’s writing prompt nudged a gentle chord in my heart: “What quality do you value most in a friend?”

Friendship is like an unseen thread that binds souls across time, space, and silence.

But if I had to pick one quality that I treasure above all else in a friend, it would be loyalty—the unwavering, quiet force that holds the fabric of friendship together through every season of life.

Why Loyalty Stands Above All

We all cherish friends for their humor, compassion, intelligence, and companionship. But these traits are like petals of a flower—beautiful yet delicate.

Loyalty, however, is the root. It’s what keeps the bloom alive during storms.

A loyal friend doesn’t just cheer when you succeed. They hold your hand when the world walks away.

They defend you when you’re not around, and they remain by your side when rumors fly, tempers flare, or life hits hard.

In my six and a half decades of life, I’ve learned that friendships are tested not by the good times, but by moments of failure, grief, and doubt.

And loyalty is what keeps a friend standing beside you in those moments.

A Personal Memory: When Loyalty Lit My Darkness

Let me take you back to a time when my banking career took a sudden blow. There was a fraud at our Branch, unexpectedly, and though I wasn’t responsible, I faced unfair blame. I was devastated, and the silence from many colleagues was louder than words.

But my childhood friend, fortunately, in the same Bank Rajiv, who had nothing to gain from defending me, chose to stand up and speak the truth.

He called me every day, not with solutions, but with encouragement. He told me stories, cracked jokes, and reminded me of the boy I once was—resilient and brave.

That phase eventually passed, but my respect for Rajiv never faded. His loyalty was not loud, but it was powerful enough to pull me back from the edge.

That’s when I truly realized that loyalty isn’t just about being present—it’s about believing in someone even when they’ve stopped believing in themselves.

Loyalty in the Age of Instant Connections

In today’s fast-paced digital world, where friendships are often measured in “likes” and “followers,” loyalty seems like an old-fashioned word.

But isn’t it more relevant than ever? When friendships are often transactional or shallow, loyalty stands out like a lighthouse on a stormy night.

A loyal friend won’t ghost you after a disagreement. They won’t screenshot your vulnerability and share it for amusement.

They don’t disappear just because you’re no longer popular or useful. Instead, they remain steady—an anchor in an age of drifting relationships.

Other Qualities Are Important, Too

Yes, kindness, honesty, and shared humor all enrich a friendship. But without loyalty, even the most charming qualities fall flat in the long run.

Because kindness without loyalty may fade, and honesty without loyalty may turn into brutal criticism. Loyalty ties all these traits together, giving them depth and endurance.

Loyalty Builds Emotional Safety

Loyalty isn’t blind allegiance. It doesn’t mean supporting wrong actions, but it does mean giving a friend the benefit of the doubt, offering constructive feedback in private, and never abandoning them in public.

Loyal friendships create emotional safety—a space where you can be your true self, flaws and all.

That kind of friendship is healing. It allows you to fall apart and trust that someone will help piece you back together without judgment. It allows growth, change, and forgiveness.

In My Retired Life, I See It More Clearly

After retirement, I’ve had the chance to reflect more deeply on relationships. Many acquaintances fade with time, but those anchored in loyalty shine brighter.

They are the ones who still call to check on you, who celebrate your creative pursuits, who ask about your granddaughter, or share an old memory just to make you smile.

They don’t envy your joy; they amplify it. They don’t abandon you during challenges; they face it with you. Isn’t that the kind of friend we all need—and ought to be?

My Life lesson

Right now, as I sip my morning green tea and listen to the birds chirping, I feel thankful for my loyal friends. True friendship isn’t created in a day; it’s tested over time. Loyalty, like a precious gem, shines brighter as the years go by.

So, dear friends, I ask you—what quality do you value most in a friend? For me, loyalty is the thread that stitches hearts together, across joys and sorrows, across decades and distances.

May we all be lucky enough to find such loyal souls—and be one in return.

Warmly,
Vijay Verma
www.retiredkalam.com

Categories: infotainment

Tags: #Friendship, #Love, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1954, featured, friends, loyalty, relationships