Some people feel that they have dozens of friends, they are really popular and are recognised and welcomed everywhere they go.
Other people prefer to be more of a loner, with no responsibilities and no one else to consider.
The reality is that we are all probably at our best when we are somewhere in-between the two viewpoints.
Having many friends can be difficult to sustain.
Keeping everyone happy and maintained can be a nightmare responsibility.
It can be time-consuming, expensive, as well as emotionally and physically draining.
It can be great fun, feeling popular and receiving texts, calls and invitations constantly, but it's impossible to be everywhere all the time.
As a result, some people may become jealous and possessive whilst in truth, some people we will prefer to spend time with more than others.
Being a loner can be fine, but as a way of life it can become a rather uninspired choice.
As human beings we tend to function better as part of a group of some kind.
Physical and emotional touch are important contributors to good health, on every level.
And often it can be difficult to be motivated, to try new things, to sometimes even get out of the house when one is on ones own.
Having friends does mean we have to make an effort.
True friends are people who care about us and how we are.
- They motivate and encourage us in our plans.
It can be easy to stay in our comfort zone or say that we will make an effort next week.
Friends are often good at pushing us to make the effort and have a go.
They may even volunteer to join in and make it more fun.
- A good friend will listen when we need to be heard, will not pass judgement and will understand and appreciate how we feel.
They will no doubt be regaled with our many sagas and tales of woe and will remain supportive.
But on occasion they may tell us to be quiet, stop talking about it and move on.
Enough is enough.
And that is important to hear on occasion.
- A good friend is loyal and will be honest in their communications with us.
So they will say if we are behaving inappropriately or are in danger of doing something that is a mistake, they will say if we are wearing something that does not suit us.
But they will say these things with affection and in a caring way.
We can rely on what they are saying because they care.
- Loyalty is an important component of friendship.
A good friend will not criticise us to others.
If we do something silly or make a fool of ourselves they will stand by us and help us pick up the pieces.
They may laugh and help us put the situation into a better perspective, but we can trust that they are on our side.
- Friends teach us about selflessness too.
Considering someone else, being aware of their needs, concerns and how they are feeling is important.
True friendship is a two-way relationship, sometimes giving more than taking, other times more taking than giving.
It a meaningful addition to our lives.
Friends bring a different level of input into our lives.
We have chosen to be in each others lives.
Sometimes friends will move out of our lives.
We may move area, change job, change our lifestyle and we may find that we have moved into a new group of friends.
That can be fine.
Not everyone can keep their friends from childhood.
But unlike family, friends are people we have been drawn to, for a variety of reasons and as such, we can benefit each others lives in many positive and constructive ways.
Other people prefer to be more of a loner, with no responsibilities and no one else to consider.
The reality is that we are all probably at our best when we are somewhere in-between the two viewpoints.
Having many friends can be difficult to sustain.
Keeping everyone happy and maintained can be a nightmare responsibility.
It can be time-consuming, expensive, as well as emotionally and physically draining.
It can be great fun, feeling popular and receiving texts, calls and invitations constantly, but it's impossible to be everywhere all the time.
As a result, some people may become jealous and possessive whilst in truth, some people we will prefer to spend time with more than others.
Being a loner can be fine, but as a way of life it can become a rather uninspired choice.
As human beings we tend to function better as part of a group of some kind.
Physical and emotional touch are important contributors to good health, on every level.
And often it can be difficult to be motivated, to try new things, to sometimes even get out of the house when one is on ones own.
Having friends does mean we have to make an effort.
True friends are people who care about us and how we are.
- They motivate and encourage us in our plans.
It can be easy to stay in our comfort zone or say that we will make an effort next week.
Friends are often good at pushing us to make the effort and have a go.
They may even volunteer to join in and make it more fun.
- A good friend will listen when we need to be heard, will not pass judgement and will understand and appreciate how we feel.
They will no doubt be regaled with our many sagas and tales of woe and will remain supportive.
But on occasion they may tell us to be quiet, stop talking about it and move on.
Enough is enough.
And that is important to hear on occasion.
- A good friend is loyal and will be honest in their communications with us.
So they will say if we are behaving inappropriately or are in danger of doing something that is a mistake, they will say if we are wearing something that does not suit us.
But they will say these things with affection and in a caring way.
We can rely on what they are saying because they care.
- Loyalty is an important component of friendship.
A good friend will not criticise us to others.
If we do something silly or make a fool of ourselves they will stand by us and help us pick up the pieces.
They may laugh and help us put the situation into a better perspective, but we can trust that they are on our side.
- Friends teach us about selflessness too.
Considering someone else, being aware of their needs, concerns and how they are feeling is important.
True friendship is a two-way relationship, sometimes giving more than taking, other times more taking than giving.
It a meaningful addition to our lives.
Friends bring a different level of input into our lives.
We have chosen to be in each others lives.
Sometimes friends will move out of our lives.
We may move area, change job, change our lifestyle and we may find that we have moved into a new group of friends.
That can be fine.
Not everyone can keep their friends from childhood.
But unlike family, friends are people we have been drawn to, for a variety of reasons and as such, we can benefit each others lives in many positive and constructive ways.