i am not one to seek out confrontation, or need it for any sort of personal fulfillment. however, these days it seems that the confrontation comes to me, and i am not one to back down when cornered. i desire communication, open/honest/heart spoken communication. i despise facades for it makes it difficult for me to see what is behind the mask with any semblance of validity. friendship is something extremely valuable to me. but when i feel that i have given all i can, and there is nothing but harshness, pretending, and lies returned, i withdraw from any form of connection with that person. the following are a list of words and definitions as defined what i perceive as common sense - these are things that i feel i have matured in understanding, and can feel confident about expressing such things in words, whether they be written or spoken. perhaps i am seeing that i am different than most, because i mention these concepts in above said confrontations, and it gets turned and twisted into something selfish and proud. what is so difficult to perceive that a growing friendship is one that gives and receives equally and mutually?

acquaintanceship: a person known by name but with whom interaction is usually limited in scope and quality.

affection need: the need to express and receive love; the need to experience emotionally close relationships.

assertiveness: the honest, clear, and direct communication of one's thoughts and feelings while displaying respect for the thoughts and feelings of others.

conflict: perceived disagreement about views, interests, and goals.

consistency: the desire to maintain balance in our lives by behaving according to commitments already formed.

disqualification: communication that invalidates a message sent.

empathy: the ability to feel another's feelings.

friendship: relationship that exists when persons seek each other out and exhibit a strong mutual regard for each other.

qualifiers: words that lack certainty and make phrases tentative in nature.

stagnating: the stage in a relationship that finds communication between the parties at a standstill.

waning friendship: the stage during which friends drift apart.

termination: the end stage of a relationship.