“ONE FRIEND IN A LIFETIME IS MUCH; TWO ARE MANY; THREE ARE HARDLY POSSIBLE.”—Henry Brooks Adams.
SUCH a remark suggests that true friends are rare. All too often comments such as “I have no one to turn to,” “I cannot trust anybody,” or “My dog is my best friend” are heard from very lonely people groping for friendship.
To make and maintain lasting friendships is a challenge. A market survey revealed that “in the United States 25 per cent of the adult population suffer ‘chronic loneliness’ and . . . in France half the people have experienced acute isolation.” The proliferation of dating clubs and computer chat rooms and the profusion of newspaper advertisements by those seeking companions indicate that people crave human contact.
Loneliness affects not only a person’s mental state but also his physical health, claims Dr. David Weeks, a neuropsychologist. “I have a very high proportion of patients with anxiety phobias and depression who could be described as lonely. There are connections between the severity of depression and the severity of loneliness.”
The quality of your life depends much on the quality of your friendships. Often those who live for self are not happy because they have no friend with whom to share their things or their thoughts. English poet George Byron wrote: “All who joy would win must share it.”
What is a friend? A dictionary defines a friend as “one attached to another by affection or esteem.” A true friend can help direct your thoughts toward good things. He can encourage and build you up in times of need. He can even share your grief. King Solomon said: “A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress.” While material things often lose their value over time, true friendship grows and flourishes with time.
True friends are a protection for you in another way. Although any number of people may give you words of praise, only true friends will think enough of you to point out a serious fault and offer constructive counsel in a loving way. Good, intimate friends are among those rare gifts that can produce a positive influence on you.
Friendship is a gift everyone is able to give and to receive. In the near future, you will have the opportunity to widen out your circle of friends.
SIX STEPS TO A LASTING FRIENDSHIP
1. BE A FRIEND.
2. MAKE TIME TO CULTIVATE A FRIENDSHIP.
3. PAY ATTENTION WHEN OTHERS TALK.
4. BE FORGIVING.
5. RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF OTHERS.
6. BE GENEROUS.
SUCH a remark suggests that true friends are rare. All too often comments such as “I have no one to turn to,” “I cannot trust anybody,” or “My dog is my best friend” are heard from very lonely people groping for friendship.
To make and maintain lasting friendships is a challenge. A market survey revealed that “in the United States 25 per cent of the adult population suffer ‘chronic loneliness’ and . . . in France half the people have experienced acute isolation.” The proliferation of dating clubs and computer chat rooms and the profusion of newspaper advertisements by those seeking companions indicate that people crave human contact.
Loneliness affects not only a person’s mental state but also his physical health, claims Dr. David Weeks, a neuropsychologist. “I have a very high proportion of patients with anxiety phobias and depression who could be described as lonely. There are connections between the severity of depression and the severity of loneliness.”
The quality of your life depends much on the quality of your friendships. Often those who live for self are not happy because they have no friend with whom to share their things or their thoughts. English poet George Byron wrote: “All who joy would win must share it.”
What is a friend? A dictionary defines a friend as “one attached to another by affection or esteem.” A true friend can help direct your thoughts toward good things. He can encourage and build you up in times of need. He can even share your grief. King Solomon said: “A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress.” While material things often lose their value over time, true friendship grows and flourishes with time.
True friends are a protection for you in another way. Although any number of people may give you words of praise, only true friends will think enough of you to point out a serious fault and offer constructive counsel in a loving way. Good, intimate friends are among those rare gifts that can produce a positive influence on you.
Friendship is a gift everyone is able to give and to receive. In the near future, you will have the opportunity to widen out your circle of friends.
SIX STEPS TO A LASTING FRIENDSHIP
1. BE A FRIEND.
2. MAKE TIME TO CULTIVATE A FRIENDSHIP.
3. PAY ATTENTION WHEN OTHERS TALK.
4. BE FORGIVING.
5. RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF OTHERS.
6. BE GENEROUS.
WiTh Love;
Azlan F
