I have a friend. She gets on my nerves at times, like any other human person does. But there are some qualities in her which are rarely found in other people I’ve known.

People are inherently selfish. They prioritise their lives according to their own interests, their own wellbeing and those of their families. They can be very nice and kind for as long as being nice and kind does not impinge upon their own interests. My friend is not like that. She shows kindness to others because it’s right, even if it puts herself at stake.

People will not fashion their lifestyles according to values they claim to believe are good and right. The lifestyles they reflect are often in total contradiction to their conviction claims. My friend is not like that. Her life reflects the very values she preaches, regardless of what others may think of her.

People will say nice things to you about yourself because they know it makes you feel nice about them. But just as they’re pretentiously nice to you, they’re nice to just about everyone they meet. Because not having enemies works to their advantage. My friend is not like that. Offend her sensibilities and she’ll show it to you. Because she’s real.

I guess what makes this friend quite likable is not that she's pleasant. She's quite likable because she doesn't try to manage people's impressions of her. She just is.

It’s nice to have a real friend in a plastic world.