Love All, Hate None, Trust Few

Today I'd like to dedicate a post strictly to friendship. 
A friend is someone who you can trust, and someone you know you can count on, not to be confused with an acquaintance, say, someone you associate with, but would not tell your secrets to. This generation has surrounded itself with people who call themselves "friends", but will not think twice about betraying that same person they've just called their pal. Friendship, to me, is something extremely important. A friend is someone I can call at any times of the day and ask for help to make a decision, (since I am the number one candidate for indecisiveness) and that friend will assist me in finding which choice is best for me. I know many people, but I do not call all of them my friends. I love everyone I've come in contact with, but unfortunately I have learned that not everyone has the best intentions. Sometimes, a person whom you've called a friend will make a mistake, hurt you or even betray you and say they did not mean it. In cases like these, it is hard to decide if this person is meant to stay in your life, or needs to be cut out and removed due to the negative actions they've shown you. My best advice when it comes to a friend's mistake is to always forgive, not for them, but for you - for your own peace of mind,  even if you've not received an apology. Once you have forgiven them, you are able to move forward. Time is our number one healer. If you believe this friend has truly made a mistake, and has not meant to hurt you or betray your trust, maybe a second chance isn't a horrible idea. It is hard to know when our judgement is correct, but most of the time, I'd tell you to trust your gut feeling. A good friend is a good friend, in that, they will stand by your side and help you up when you are down. But a human is a human, in that, we make mistakes and some people deserve second chances. In my own opinion, pride is never more important than a good friendship. Life gives us some people who are meant to be in our lives for only a short amount of time. No matter how long that person is around, they are there for a reason, to teach us a lesson. Being hurt or betrayed by someone you once called a friend might, at first, seem unbearable. You didn't expect this person to prove your trust wrong, and now you are stuck wondering if you have poor judgement, or if this person just has a good act. Whatever the case, always remember that you do not owe anyone an explanation and/or apology for cutting the toxic people or things out of your life. If this person has shown you they cannot be trusted, you have every right to delete them from your life. However, if you choose to give someone another chance, another shot at gaining your trust, you've got to actually be willing to try to trust them! I believe in second chances, but not everyone deserves them. Just be cautious who you let in. Some care, and some are just curious.