A friend, a real friend, someone you love and trust, is going to tell you all the things you do not want to know about yourself.  A friend tells you when you are right and helps you understand how you could be wrong.  A friend will yell and scream, but when you need him, he is there.  A friend is someone you cannot and do not lie to.   She knows your secrets and holds them in confidence.  A friend never judges, yet will let you know when you are doing it "again."  A friend sees your mistakes and, without covering them up, steers you in another direction.  A friend pushes you, shoves you and drives you real hard.  Just when you think you are about to break, he whips out the Band-Aids, patches you up and starts pushing again.  A friend always says things that make no sense until you hear a stranger say the same thing.  A friend is someone you can look at and see yourself and know you are really going to be alright.

  --  Iyanla Vanzant