1.Friedship is both a source of pleasure and a component of good health. Poeple who have close fireds naturally enjoy their company. Of equal importance are the concrete emotional benefits they derive. When something sensational happens to us, sharing the happiness of the occasion with frieds intensifies our joy. Conversely, in times of trouble and tension, when our spirits are low, unburdening our worries and fears to compassionate friends alleviates the stress. Moreover, we may even get some practical suggestions for solving a particular problem.
Adolescence and old age are the two stages in our lives when the need for friendship is crucial. In the former stage, older people are upset by feelings of uselessness and insignificance. In both instances, friends can make a dramatic difference. With close friends in their lives, people develop courage and positive attitudes. Teenagers have the moral support to assert their individuality; the elderly apporoach their advaanced years with optimism and an interest in life. These positive outlooks are vital to cope successfully with the crises inherent in these two stages of life.
Throughout life, we rely on small groups of people for love, admiration, respect, moral support, and help. Almost everyone has a "network" of friends: co-workers, neighbors, and schoolmates. While both men and women have such friends, evidence is accumulating that indicates men rarely make close friends. Men are sociable and frequently have numerous business acquaintances, golfbuddies, and so on. However, firendship does not merely involve a sharing of activities; it is a sharing of self on a very personal level. Customatily, men have shied froem close relationships in which they confide in others. By bottling up their emotions, men deprive themselves of a healthy outlet for their negativete feeling.
People choose some friends because thy are fun to be with; they "Meke things happen". Likewise, common intersts appear to be a significant factor in selecting friends. Families with children, for instance, tend to gravitate tovard families with children. It is normal to befriend people who have similar lifestyles, and organizations such as Parents without Partners have appeared on opportunity to socialize, make new acquaintance and friends, obtain helpful advice in adapting smoothly to a new lifesyle. Other groups focus on specific interst such as caming or politics. It is perfectly acceptable to select friends for special qualities as long as there is a balanced giving and taking that is mutually satisfying.
Very cloes and trusted friends share confidences candidly. They feel secure that they will not be ridiculed or derided, and their confidences will be bonored. Betraying a trust is a very quick and painful way to terminate a friedship.
As friendships solidify, ties strengthen. Intimate relationships enrich people'life. Some components of a thriving friendship are honesty, naturalness, thoughtfulness, and some common intersts.
Circumstance and people are constantly changing. Some friedships last "forever"; others do not. Nerertheless, friendship is an essential ingredient in the making of a healthful, rewarding life.
