Five Steps to Creating Life Long Friendships

People need people to survive. We are social creatures that crave the company of others since the beginning of time. A friend is a person who has our best interests at heart and someone we can trust and rely on. We may meet people in our life for different reasons given our circumstances and the stage in life. Some of those who we meet, stay as lifelong friends whom we share our experiences and lives with.

 Friendship takes time to nourish and patience to flourish.

Here are five steps to creating long lasting friendships:

1)      Know Yourself: What kind of qualities do you have that make you a good friend? What kind of personality are you? What are the qualities you are seeking in another person? Why do you want a friend? Are you bored and want to pass time with someone (anyone) or do you want someone with a similar life, outlook, career path, etc? Or do you want an activity partner? Think about the type of friendship that would fulfill your life.

 

2)      Assess Your Time: Having a meaningful  friendship can take time and effort from both parties. Do you have time to invest in your friend? How do you want to spend your time with them? The greatest friends are the ones, you can sit with and laugh and talk for hours without having to plan/ do an activity. Although, in the beginning of a friendship, having shared experiences together can create a greater connection and similar reminiscences and reflections as the friendship continues.

 

3)      Opposition to Your friend (s): Is there anyone in your life that is opposed to you having a certain kind of friend? Make sure the people close to you (spouse, kids, siblings, parents, etc) are not in major disagreement with the type of friend you are choosing to spend your time with. As the saying goes, we can’t choose our family, but we can choose our friends, so choose carefully. Friends can have great influence on your life and way of thinking and being. Ideally, friends should respect your life and priorities and not take you away from your responsibilities. True friends will add value to your life and the people in it, rather than deplete you.

 

4)       Have Boundaries: It’s important to be respectful of each other’s lives. The great thing about having a good friend is knowing that they understand  and support you. Although, if their needs and wants are in conflict with those of your own priorities (job, family, health, etc) that friendship is overstepping their boundaries.

 

5)      Purpose of  Friendship:   We have different friends for our different needs. Give gifts, positive compliments and show appreciation for your friend. Certain friends may serve as guides and provide motivational support, while others serve can serve a different purpose for your needs during a stage in your life. Lifelong friends share memories and reflections about their past and present lives and hopes and dreams about the future.

 

 Our friends can serve as advisers and therapists or simple as another soul we connect with on different levels. We meet people for special reasons and the ones that stay in your life are meant to be treated with care and thoughtfulness. Friends can help us during our most challenging times and be right there to support and celebrate our blessings with open hearts and solid sincerity.