Friendship: The Unnecessarily Necessary Delight

Friendship: The Unnecessarily Necessary Delight 

by Barry Denson



    Ah, Clive Staples Lewis once mused, “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” Quite the clever chap, old Lewis, hitting the nail on the head about the quirky paradox of friendship.


Let’s unpack this delightful quote, shall we? In a world where survival often hinges on things like shelter, food, and knowing where your phone charger is at all times, friendship might seem like the glitter on a cupcake—unnecessary yet undeniably delightful. It’s not going to cook your dinner or fix your car, but it sure does add that sprinkle of joy to life that makes the mundane more bearable.


    Imagine life without friends—a bit like Netflix without the chill, isn’t it? Sure, you can binge-watch alone, but where’s the fun in that? Friendship swoops in like a superhero cape, rescuing us from the clutches of loneliness and boredom, and giving us someone to share our victories and woes with. It’s like having a personal cheerleader who doesn’t mind when you’re having a bad hair day.


    Now, Lewis compared friendship to philosophy and art—things that make you think and feel deeply. Friendship does exactly that. It challenges us, supports us, and sometimes, yes, it makes us question our life choices (in a good way, mostly). It’s the philosophical debate over coffee, the artistic masterpiece of inside jokes, and the spontaneous adventure that makes life a tad more exciting.


    But let’s not get too sentimental here. Friendship isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. It’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes requires a bit of forgiveness and a lot of laughter. It’s like that rollercoaster ride you’re not entirely sure you signed up for, but you wouldn’t want to get off midway either.


    In a world obsessed with tangible results and measurable outcomes, friendship stands tall as a reminder that some of the best things in life defy logic. It’s not about what you can count or quantify but what you feel in your heart. It’s the joy of sharing a ridiculous meme at 2 AM, the comfort of knowing someone’s got your back, and the sheer bliss of belly-laughing until your abs hurt.


    So, as we navigate this crazy journey called life, let’s raise a virtual toast to friendship—the unnecessary necessity that adds sparkle to our days and warmth to our hearts. Cherish those who laugh with you, cry with you, and never judge you for eating pizza for breakfast. Because in the grand scheme of things, a life without friends is like a song without a tune —what’s the point?


    Here’s to friendship—the real MVP of survival, even if it doesn’t come with an instruction manual or a return policy.


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