This lesson hit me right in the face a few years back when I thought that I had my life figured out and my friends were there for me, because they loved spending time with me, not because I had something they may want, or because I was a quick way up. 

I remember my mum telling me that not because they are friendly with you means that they will be there for you every time you need them or that they are real friends, and being the "rebel" teenager that I was, I told my mum there was no way someone was going to let me down, because everyone that was around me wanted my friendship not what I could give. 

Boy was I wrong, it only took a matter of months for me to realise how many of my friends were there for favors, wanting something from me or my parents, and one night when the biggest group of friends came to confront me about it I broke down and that's when I hit my face hard against the pavement. 

Not literally but the pain of realising that the only thing they saw in me were favors really hurt, and that's when my parents took me away for a little bit, I knew how worried they were because that night with the crying call I realised that my mum was right.

Pick your friends carefully and be a good friend, listen, talk, keep in touch, but most importantly offer everything and nothing, don't look out for interest in them, be with them because you get along, because you enjoy their company, not because you are lonely or they have something you might want. Be the friend you would want to have.

Mayte.