There is no elixir that can reach the heart directly, except for true friends.
Friends are constantly being renewed, like clothes. This metaphor in no way disrespects friends. Who doesn't need clothes to keep warm and beautify? Every piece of clothing was initially liked, even stunning, just like encountering a friend with truth, goodness, and beauty - truth is the style, goodness is the quality, and beauty is the color... Of course, you should also have a few exquisite outfits kept in your trunk, following you for a lifetime, unique and classic - these are your special friends. I have five, and I even believe that everyone should have five special friends like the following:
A cross-generational friend: He is preferably much older than you, perhaps with a generation gap, but compatible, like the sun's overlook of the earth. He has the energy of an older brother, the care of an elder, appreciating me, looking after me. In my confused and bewildered youth, he was my benefactor, doing many things for me, including opening back doors for me and lending me money... Such friendship carries a bit of gratitude, so it's somewhat serious. But it also radiates a sacred light. Besides my parents, I only record his birthday in my phone memo. When I have problems, I can consult him, although his advice may not always be profound, he can stabilize the situation. He often sees me as his pride, rejoicing in my every achievement, then sharing my happiness and joy with his family. He possesses the wisdom of a connoisseur, and the demeanor of an older brother. Such a friend gives a sense of reliance, like having a mountain to lean on, making life more relaxed and respectful; he is a twisted pine tree, older, bigger, better, firmer than me. I can cool off under the tree and listen to the pine waves.
A red powder (blue-eyed) confidant: She (he) is unfulfilled love. She once loved me, and she still does now, but I successfully transformed her love into friendship. She (he) is now very happy, like a red apple full of happiness. She is no longer a flower, startling, easily hurt, fragile, and somewhat dangerous. Now I am talking to an apple, fragrant, free, and solid. After growing up, first love, revealed feelings, and transcended yearning, all melted together, becoming a heartfelt friendship where we can warm our hands by the fire together. We can talk about anything, and understand each other tacitly. We calmly love each other as friends, hotter than friendship, cooler than love. In life, one should have such a friend who surpasses romantic love, like the earth having the moon. It will bring you many wonderful and romantic yet guilt-free emotions. Such a friend is rare, harder to find than a lover!
A mood doctor: She - a doctor, is someone I met during an interview. Such an encounter is not very romantic, but gradually, you will discover the warmth and kindness in plain interactions. This oxygen-like friendship brings psychological comfort and assistance so refreshingly. I often seek her advice over imagined worries and return with a bag of peace.
A long-distance friend: A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor, but sometimes, a friend should be far away. A long-distance friend can be on the other side of the network or in a foreign land. In short, he is far away, at the end of the sky, yet feels as if he is right in front of you. Such a friend carries a sense of Zen and fate. I am fortunate to have many such friends, like Bing, Huafei, and many literary friends from the past, among whom there is a poet brother. We were schoolmates, and later he settled abroad. The distance made us cherish our friendship more. Long-distance friendships are pure, carrying a classical blue glow, dreamlike, and highly aesthetic. On rainy days, he is not the one to lend you an umbrella, but he is the one who tells you to look at the rainbow. A corner of the soul needs some intangible poetry and sentiment, like the moss in the corner of a luxurious house, not very practical, yet adding an extraordinary and magical meaning and imagination to our lives.
Comrade, hello: I understand him, so he considers me a good friend. He is handsome, smart, and kind. Because God messed up his mind, he has more problems than others, such as loving the same sex. Discovering his innate difference, panic, loneliness, despair, then resignation until self-rescue and rebirth, he is so extraordinary, with a touch of miracle. Now he can calmly coexist with his extraordinary self, although he still struggles to live in this world like a secret. And I know his secret. I don't treat him as an oddity. Just for this, he says he will "thank me for a lifetime" and becomes my sincere friend with generosity and chivalry. Actually, I should thank him because he makes me deeply understand the differences in life and destiny, learning to be more tolerant and understanding towards others and life. Such a friend offers you a different perspective to share, strengthening those precious virtues in our hearts, such as respect, humility, and tolerance. Meeting a so-called madman, eccentric, or even a fool in life's journey is worth being grateful and fortunate for because of understanding, I will be compassionate, and I will become better and better.