There are limits to how much ice cream you can eat, how long you can talk on the phone, and surprisingly to most of those who will read this article, a limit to how much you can help. So, say your friend is constantly being bullied outside of school, and is having trouble dealing with the tormenting themselves, what would you do? In the beginning, when you see your friend is absolutely hopeless, sure, go ahead, step and in and lend a helping hand. Teach this person how to stand up for him/her, once or twice - but there comes a time when doing the work for your friend must stop. Remember, it’s your friend that’s being bullied – not you. He/she must learn to defend him/herself because one day, you won’t be there.  

Sometimes this person will refuse to do the ‘dirty-work’ themselves and indirectly force you to do it for them. It’s their responsibility to fix the problem, whatever it may be. If, for instance, your friend was physically abused at home, and being the good friend you are, you decide to consult an adult about it. This adult tells you to confront higher authorities about it (i.e. the police). Okay, you’ve gathered the information, but now what do you do? Do you tell the police for him/her? No, you can’t. You don’t have the right, for many reasons. Don’t feel hopeless with this info, tell your friend about it, but the rest is his/her hands. As a good, true friend, you’ve done the most you can possibly do.  

This isn’t exactly a recipe to solve your problems because this is just one scenario. Many other cases could use this same advice and it’s up to you to figure out when is best. You see, not everyone is suicidal, or a drug addict, or a liar. There are different types of people who need this kid of help all over the world and as a friend, it’s your duty to know when that is and take action upon it.  

It's a tough decision to make, but you've got to know when to draw the line. And it's hard to see that line, especially for beginners, those whose vision isn't all that clear yet. Most of the times it's like searching for something that isn't there and you result in giving up and doing everything you possibly can to make this person's life better. But what do they learn from it if you're doing all the work? It's nice to have a friend you can ask for advice or talk to about anything, problems, stresses, parents - anything to, but this problem has happened to your friend, not you, and for a reason. They've got to deal with it and make it better, not your friend or anyone else. The point here is, when a friend has a tough decision to make, about anything, you can help, but don’t do the legwork because you shouldn’t. It’s you’re friends problem, give him/her advice, but let her deal with taking the responsibility to solve it – it works better that way.