In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. They keep the young out of mischief; they comfort and aid the old in their weakness, and they incite those in the prime of life to noble deeds. ~ Aristotle
Numerous studies have shown that friendships can vastly improve the quality of life, regardless of ones circumstances. Friendship has been identified as more important to a successful marriage than physical intimacy. Additionally, having a friend in the workplace leads to greater job satisfaction.
But… not all friendships are created equal or have the same beneficial impact on our lives. Acquaintances are not the same thing as true friends. Friendship must be cultivated and nurtured. Just as with most things which are important, time and effort must be spent in order to achieve the best possible results.
True friends are those people who encourage you, inspire, motivate, and support you. They are the ones who will tell you the truth even when it may hurt, who will point out your errors when needed, give you a shoulder to cry on one day and a reality check another.
True friends can inspire you to eat better, work harder, stay healthier, even live longer. They lift you up, rather than bring you down.
So, choose wisely. Even if they live far away, it is worth it to deepen that friendship. Identify those people in your life who are or could be true friends. Connect with them, spend time with them, nurture the friendship. Friendship can’t be bought or faked.
