(extracted from an article)
Friends help to boost your emotional and psychological well-being by giving you support in good times and bad.
People who need people are the luckiest people in the world. Like it or not, you need friends for good health.
Harvard researchers found that strong social ties can protect against memory loss as people age. Another research also show that good friendship bonds, rather than family ties are better predictors of lifespan longevity.
The one way friends help to boost your emotional and psychological well-being is by providing support in good and bad times. It is said that friends provide us with care, love and understanding when we are sad or troubled. They provide emotional reassurance by listening to our woes.
They also provide havens for us to share our thoughts or feelings in a safe manner so that we don't have to worry that what we share with them will be passed on to others.
However, it is near impossible to be good friends with everyone.
Transition from being just acquantiances to friends takes place when two people make that intentional effort to get to know each other better.
Children make friends easily because they have a simpler mindset. To them friends are people whom they can play and have fund with. And as they grow up, they tend to make close friends because of the significant time spent with schoolmates.
But even strongest friendships may fade if the student takes on different directions in life after graduations. Reason is after graduation, most would go their seprate wyas to achieve their goals and they may be no more common elements that hold the friendships together.
If friends show no interest in maintaining contact with each other then the relationship may break down.
As people gets older, it becomes more difficult to form close relationship.
One reason is adults develop a more complex perspective towards friendships due to life experiences.
Sometimes even closest friendships may not last forever. The loss of a good friendship to some may be just as devasting as breaking up with a romantic partner.
It is said that friendships last when there are strong elements involved, like trust, support, warmth, and two-way interactions.
"If the loss friendship is not your fault then do not blame yourself. Invest your energy in making new friends who share your values and lifestyle."
The Art of Socialising
Friendship is like a ball game.
You throw the ball, extending your hand of friendship and hope someone catches it and reciprocates.
However, at times, you may be greeted with the dull thud of the ball hitting the floor bacause there is no one around who will retun the throw. Is it hard to make and hold on to friends?
Factors like being shy and having poor communications and social skills may hinder people from pursuing and holding on to friendships effectively.
Having good social skills is an art. These includes having positive body language and the ability to interpret and respond well to different environment.
For example, a person of good social skills will know not to talk loudly in a quiet office environment.
Feeling of insecurity also play a part in maintaining friendships. When people feel insecure, they put on a facade, or a mask, to hide their true selves. If you put on a facade, people will feel that you are not genuine, so they can't connect with you.
To make friendships...
1) Simle (alot) > People respond positively to a genuine smile. It also helps you to look and feel positive and friendly.
2) Avoid wearing black. > Wear bright, cheery colours instead. Black makes you look aloof.
3) Take initiative to say Hi> Good conversation starter beings with asking your potential friends more about themselves. ( jobs, interests, hobbies, traveling experiences)
4) Do volunteer work.> Volunteering provides an avenue where people who share the same passion can come together. A common bond makes it easier to establish friendships.
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On my personal note, I do agree on some points which was mentioned above.
Good friends are good for you. We matures together and strengthen our bonds despite distance and absence. The strength of a friendship is tested and proven when you return after a long absence and feel like you have never left.
Reminds me of my friend Danielle, who had went to NZ for studies after her O Levels. I can still recall the very first time we met, when she returned to Singapore for the first time. I was worried that I may not have know her as much as she may have change during the past 2 years.
I was totally wrong, there was no awkwareness between us yet the feeling for this friend is even stronger. This reunion is always heart-warming and unforgettable. We've picked up a thread that hadn't broken despite the distance.
Although she has decided to stay in NZ, but I believe we will remember each other in our hearts.
Another person who is also special to is Nicole, I've know her for like many thousands days. Since the age of 8, we have been together in school, classes, church, school bus, Bus 17, swimming lessons, bathrooms (>.<), beaches and many more. We do share a special bond and friend between us. A friendship which started from having fun at school to spending timing to establish similar interest and background to now sharing now and then the experiences of the different path we have taken. (more from her then me la, I'm more a listener) Kudos to you.
Kudos to you too -
Puileng, Evan, Minyu, Denise Han - For lovely memories we share in SAC
Dini - For you are always with me no matter how far we are and your cheerful smile
Mical, Candice - For you who have cause an impact to my life to where I am now.
Irene - For being a soulmate since and will always be. I'll wait for you kk!
Melissa - For the most understanding one
Angel - For your heart is always close to us.
Asilah, Jieying, Huiying, Grace, Jimhui, Leehui, Huiping, Nizam, Yong Siang, Wei Leong, Chiho, Weiming, Ken ken, Christine - For sharing the wonderful memories with me in SU
Eddie, Damien, Kaiway - For always Shotting me and making me stand again with more fighting spirit
Steven, Norman, Terrence, Zibin - For being Great pals in everyways.
Sherine, Ejenna, Sarah, Juliana, Tammy, Jocelyn, George - For you are ones whom I care for outside of work.
Evelyn, Stefanie, Alice, Cecilia, Jeannie, Caroline, Peggy - For you are the wonders I love every time at choir practice. :P Love you all. Kudos Kudos to you.
Our Friendship
Remains
And
Never
Can
End
I Trust And Love You
Jean
