1. Prioritize quality over quantity.

A handful of solid friends is worth more than a crowd of acquaintances. Think about the friends who really know you, who’ve got your back, and who you actually enjoy spending time with. These are the relationships that matter. It’s not about having a long list of friends; it’s about having meaningful connections. Quality friends are the ones you can count on – whether you’re celebrating the highs or struggling through the lows. They’re there for the real stuff, not just the fun and games.

So, don’t stress about having a ton of friends. Focus on the depth of a few key relationships. These are the ones who listen, support, and value you, and they’re the ones who make all the difference. They’re the friendships that endure and genuinely enhance your life.

2. Think about how much time and energy you actually have.

Friendship requires effort, time, and energy. Be realistic about how much you can invest. Overcommitting leads to shallow connections. Balance your friendships with your personal needs and commitments. If your lifestyle doesn’t allow for a large social circle, that’s okay. It’s better to invest properly in a few friendships than to spread yourself too thin across many.

Quality friendships shouldn’t feel like a burden. They should fit into your life naturally and bring you joy, not stress. It’s not selfish to prioritize your well-being in your social life. Effective friendships are those that are mutually fulfilling and don’t drain your personal resources.

3. You don’t need a huge circle to get emotional support.

A huge friend group isn’t necessary for solid emotional support. In fact, it’s usually those one or two close friends who provide the real, deep support you need. These are the friends who truly listen and understand you, not the ones you only see at parties. The latter are probably more like acquaintances than true friends anyway.

A massive group of friends might look good in pictures, but when it comes to the crunch, you’ll likely lean on just a few key people. These are the friendships where you can be your true self, share your deepest fears, and celebrate your biggest wins. Focus on nurturing these few key relationships, and you’ll find the emotional support you need.

4. Consider what you want to achieve socially.

Be honest with yourself about what you’re looking for in your social life. Are you aiming for networking and climbing the social ladder, or are you looking for deeper, more personal connections? Your social goals greatly influence the type of friendships you should pursue.

If it’s about career networking, then a broader circle might be beneficial. But if it’s about close, personal connections, a few deep friendships will be more satisfying. Align your social circle with your goals. Don’t just accumulate friends for the sake of numbers; focus on what you’re really trying to get out of these relationships.

5. Factor in where you’re at in life right now.

Your stage in life plays a big role in the kind of friendships that work for you. If you’re in a busy career phase or raising a family, you might not have the time or energy for a large group of friends. And that’s okay. Your friendships should fit your current lifestyle, not add stress to it. As you move through different stages of life, your social needs and capacities will change. Be adaptable and realistic about what kind of friendships make sense for you at this time. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the right number of friends.

6. Find people whose interests and hobbies are the same as yours.

Common interests and hobbies are a great foundation for lasting friendships. It’s easier and more fulfilling to build friendships with people who share your passions. These shared interests naturally lead to spending time together and creating stronger bonds. Plus, it’s just more fun when you can geek out about the same things.

Whether it’s sports, books, cooking, or movies, these shared activities can be the glue that holds a friendship together. So, look for people who get excited about the same things you do. These friendships often feel more effortless and rewarding.

7. Prioritize Supportive Relationships.

Focus on friendships that genuinely support you. It’s not about who’s the most fun at a party, but who’s there for you when the party’s over. Look for friends who encourage your dreams, stand by you during tough times, and celebrate your successes as if they were their own. These supportive relationships are the ones that truly enrich your life.

A friend who’s only around for the good times isn’t much of a friend. You need people who are there in both sunshine and rain – those who offer a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, and honest advice when you need it. These are the friendships worth investing in.

8. Embrace the natural evolution of your friendships.

Friendships change – it’s a fact of life. People grow, move, change careers, start families, and as they do, their friendships evolve. Some friendships might fade, while others grow stronger. Don’t cling to the idea of what a friendship used to be; embrace what it’s becoming. It’s okay if you’re not as close as you once were with someone. Life isn’t static, and neither are friendships. Be open to the ebb and flow of relationships, and understand that this evolution is a natural part of life.

9. Surround yourself with different perspectives.

Don’t just stick to a group that mirrors your own thoughts and experiences. Having friends with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences broadens your perspective and enriches your understanding of the world. It challenges you to think differently and consider viewpoints you might not have encountered otherwise. It’s not only enlightening but also helps in developing empathy and understanding. This diversity in your social circle can lead to more meaningful and eye-opening conversations and experiences.

10. Figure out if your friendships are actually healthy.

Take a hard look at your friendships and assess their health. Are they based on mutual respect and support, or are they one-sided? Do they leave you feeling energized or drained? A healthy friendship should feel balanced and positive, not like a constant struggle or a source of stress.

If you find that a friendship is consistently negative, it might be time to reevaluate its place in your life. Remember, it’s better to have a few healthy relationships than a bunch of toxic ones. Don’t be afraid to let go of friendships that are doing more harm than good.

Originally Published: www.bolde.com

The post How Many Friends Do You Really Need In Your Life? appeared first on Table for Change.

Let’s jump into the simple ways to show love and make every day feel like a special one!

1. Compliment his appearance

Don’t be shy to let your guy know when he’s looking good. A simple “You look handsome today” or “I love that shirt on you” can make his day. Genuine compliments about his appearance show that you notice the effort he puts into looking good, and it’s an easy way to boost his confidence.

2. Know when he needs alone time

We all need a bit of space sometimes, right? Pay attention to those moments when your boyfriend might need some alone time. It’s not about not wanting to be with you; it’s just about recharging. Respect his space, and when he’s ready, he’ll come back with even more love to share.

3. Surprise him with his favorite things

Little surprises can go a long way! Whether it’s his favorite snack, a small gift, or planning a movie night with his preferred films, these thoughtful gestures show that you know what makes him happy. It’s the small, unexpected things that make him feel truly cherished.

4. Be a good listener

Communication is key, right? Take the time to really listen when he talks. It shows that you value what he has to say and that his thoughts and feelings matter to you. Sometimes, a good listener is all we need to feel loved and understood.

5. Share laughter together

Laughter is like glue for relationships. Find moments to share a joke, watch a funny movie, or reminisce about something hilarious that happened to both of you. It creates a bond and reminds him that you enjoy the lighter side of life together. After all, couples who laugh together, stay together!

6. Support his goals

Everybody has dreams, right? Be his biggest cheerleader. Whether he’s aiming for a promotion, learning a new skill, or pursuing a hobby, show genuine interest and encourage his efforts. Your support will not only motivate him but also strengthen your connection.

7. Cook his favorite meal

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and there’s some truth to that! Surprise him by cooking his favorite meal every once in a while. It’s a delicious way to show you care and appreciate the little things that make him happy.

8. Express your love with gestures

Actions often speak louder than words. Simple gestures like holding his hand, a warm hug, or a sweet kiss can convey love without saying a thing. These small, physical expressions build a strong emotional connection that goes beyond words.

9. Celebrate milestones together

Whether big or small, achievements deserve to be celebrated. Acknowledge his accomplishments, and let him know you’re proud of him. It could be a work success, a personal goal, or even just getting through a challenging week. Sharing these victories together makes the journey even more special.

Share Your Thoughts:

What are your views on this? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!

Originally Published:www.relrules.com

The post 9 Easy Ways To Make Your Boyfriend Feel Loved appeared first on Table for Change.

The term was coined by dating coach Laurel House, a relationship expert at eharmony, and it’s all about prioritizing yourself and your primary needs in order to find and build a healthy, lasting relationship. “Prioridating is dating on purpose, the purpose being to find someone who fulfills the one most important thing you need in a relationship,” House explains. “Historically, many people have dated based on a list of wants—many of those wants being superficial or not thoroughly thought through—as opposed to core values and relationship-sustaining needs that will impact your future.”

Basically, instead of trying to find someone who checks every box on a long list of “must haves” (and similarly, trying to be the perfect fit for someone else’s list), you’re trading all that nonsense for what really matters. Besides, prioritizing yourself and your needs can not only help ensure you find a partner who’s *actually* good for you, but relationship therapist Christene Lozano, LMFT, says it can lead to a more rewarding connection as well. “Your well-being is the foundation of any healthy relationship. You set the stage for what you welcome into your life.”

So if you’re over toxic dating culture or feeling burnt out by everyone’s laundry list of partner attributes, you’ve come to the right place. From what prioridiating really means to tips for using the new technique to find love, here’s what the experts want you to know.

What actually is prioridating?

Think of it as zeroing in on the one thing you absolutely need—your nonnegotiable, so to speak. “It’s about prioritizing the most important thing you must have in a relationship,” House explains. “Every other need is secondary and a bonus. Your focus is fulfilling the most important need, and that’s it.”

Your priority could be safety, kindness, easy communication, or support. Maybe the most important thing to you is being with someone who shares your religion, political affiliation, or vision for the future. Or perhaps you want a life of adventure, so your priority is finding someone who shares your passions and hobbies. House says that whatever it is, prioridating begins with “determining your priority, getting clear on your number one most important core value, then becoming confidently and unapologetically vulnerable about it to align yourself with that priority.”

Before you think everyone’s just going to be like “I want someone hot,” that’s actually proven to no longer be the case. Praise be, right? According to Match’s 2021 Singles in America study, 22 percent of people don’t really care about “physical attractiveness” in a partner, which is a 12 percent increase from 2020. On the flip side, 84 percent of singles want someone they can confide in and 83 percent want to be with someone “emotionally mature.”

If the years the study took place made you double-take, that’s because the pandemic had a clear impact on what people are now looking for when it comes to love. While that era seemed like an endless hell of Zoom dates and Skype calls, in reality, it prompted the majority of singles to reevaluate their concept of relationships. With so much time spent chatting and connecting in isolation, people realized the value in qualities like humor, open-mindedness, and effective communication over more superficial traits like physical attractiveness and lifestyle, says Lozano. You know, things that really stand out during a global crisis!

“It has become abundantly clear that these characteristics are much more essential in sustaining a long-term partnership,” Lozano explains. “Physical attraction doesn’t mean you are relationally self-aware, it doesn’t mean you practice introspection, and it doesn’t mean you can communicate effectively. Physical attraction alone in a long-term partnership can only get you so far.”

The difference between prioridating and settling

If you feel a little uneasy about tossing out your list of must-haves, it’s important to note that prioridating doesn’t equal settling. You’re simply putting your time and energy toward what really matters. “Focus on what you will experience and not what you won’t experience or what’s missing,” suggests House. “Once you identify your one most important need, align your conversations, expectations, activities, associations, and choices with that.”

Think about it: Does someone’s height, status, or sense of style really determine whether they’ll be there for you through good times and bad? Sure, if you just want a casual fling, your big-picture priority might not matter as much. But depending on the type of relationship you’re after, House says the “I need it all” mentality might not be your best course of action.

And while this might make sense to you, it’s okay if you’re also thinking, Uh, what about all the people out there who don’t know about prioridating and are still comparing me to a giant list? The good news is that by eliminating that people-pleasing habit of trying to be the dream partner for whomever you’re dating, House says you’ll feel much more seen (and way less drained) long-term. Besides, haven’t you ever seen a romantic comedy? Pretending to be the perfect person never works! Authenticity is key, bb! Focus on putting out the realest version of yourself and being up front about what you want.

Also, FWIW, the pandemic helped instill some extremely desirable qualities in people by making them reevaluate what’s important, so your odds of finding someone great is higher than ever. According to the Match study, 72 percent of single folks got better at prioritizing what truly matters to them, 66 percent worked on their mental health, and over 50 percent made all-around improvements like improving their physical health, fostering strong family bonds, unplugging more often, and gaining self-confidence post-pandemic. All fab qualities in a partner, yes? What this means: Now is the time to put yourself out there.

How to start prioridating

The best thing about prioridating is that it’s v easy to do once you get your, ahem, priorities, in order. “Focus on aligning your life to your main priority,” Lozano says. For instance: If your main priority is to live a life of adventure, Lozano suggests doing adventurous activities yourself, joining communities that bring like-minded adventure-lovers together, connecting with adventurous folks online, etc. “Essentially, you want to create a life that integrates your priority,” she explains.

In order to do this, you’ll likely need to do a lil soul searching to figure out your core value(s). “Dating and being in a solid partnership starts with you,” Lozano says, so use this as an opportunity to really get to know yourself. Think about the times you’ve experienced pure joy, what activities make you feel in your element, and when you’ve felt the safest and most at peace.

From there, it’s simply a matter of fully and vulnerably living your core value(s). “Align with that [value] in all ways,” House says, from the types of people you pursue, to what you talk about, where you go, what dating apps you join, and how you view the future. Don’t shy away from the value, but instead, make it core to who you are as a person.

It’s important to note, though, that while you want to focus on your number one priority when dating, Lozano stresses the need to be clear about your boundaries. “Just because someone is very aligned with your main priority doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have boundaries around what you are willing and unwilling to accept in a partner,” she says.

Prioridating doesn’t necessarily mean the first person who comes along with a matching main priority will be *the one*, but it does mean folks whose core value(s) align with yours will likely be much more well-suited to long-term commitment. Ultimately, House says once you define and align with your priority, you have a better chance at discovering and fulfilling your needs—first (and most importantly) within yourself and then within a partner. Win-win-win.

Originally Published: www.cosmopolitan.com

The post “Prioridating” Might Be the Key to Finding Long-Term Love appeared first on Table for Change.

It’s far more common to feel infatuation, but that feeling isn’t an issue. The issue is what people do with it. Instead of recognizing and accepting it as it is, they treat it like love. When that happens, you can start to create false expectations about the relationship you’re in. Realistically, you can never spend your life with someone you’re just infatuated with. But that doesn’t mean that people don’t try.

That’s how you end up getting hurt or even hurting someone else. It would help if you learned to differentiate between the two feelings. One will lead to a short-lived, albeit fun, relationship. And the other will lead to a lifetime of happiness next to your match.

What is Infatuation?

Infatuation is something people experience as early as childhood. At first, you get captivated by objects. You have that one toy you are obsessed with and never let it out of sight. You have that one book you repeatedly read that you can almost recite by heart. And then you grow older, and you start feeling attracted to people. You start liking a classmate and convince yourself they are your true love. Even though they aren’t, you still imagine your life with them. And your heart gets broken when those dreams don’t become a reality.

Research shows that infatuation does not possess the element of attachment and compassion required by true love. Instead, it’s a state that precedes love. But that doesn’t mean love always comes after infatuation. It just means that, often, infatuation becomes love. This evolution makes sense, as the definition of infatuation is an intense state of physical and psychological arousal. When you become infatuated, your thoughts become obsessive, filling you with anxiety. You’ll also make up scenarios that will most likely not happen. Finally, you’ll start worrying and overthinking, as you won’t be able to get those thoughts out of your head.

The scientific literature hasn’t yet agreed upon a fixed definition, but those seem to be the most common characteristics. Still, they agree that everyone experiences infatuation, regardless of age or culture. If you weren’t familiar with the term, that doesn’t mean you’ve never heard of the concept. But you probably know it under a different name, like puppy love, passionate love, or obsessive love. But the term “love” is used in all these names is what throws people off.

Sure, infatuation is a type of love. But it’s not what people expect when they hear love. If this infatuation doesn’t turn into something relatively quickly, it will become toxic. You can’t be with someone you’re just fascinated with and expect things to go well after a couple of years. Either you won’t make it that far or end up abusing each other.

4 Differences Between Infatuation and True Love

Infatuation is a feeling everyone needs to experience. It teaches you the first things you need to know about attraction and love. But that’s only possible if you learn to differentiate between infatuation and true love. To make things more transparent, here are four differences between true love and infatuation.

1.      Infatuation Is All About Appearances

Dating is based on meeting people and deciding whether to give them a shot based on their first impression. So, it’s not a surprise that relationships start superficially. But these kinds of relationships are all about appearances. They’re about how good someone looks or how they act in public. But true love requires you to get to know someone deeper.

To fall in love, you must know and accept everything about a person. You need to know what things they do annoy you and how to avoid stepping on each other’s toes. But that’s not something that happens when you are fascinated. In that state, you only care about appearances. If they are good-looking and they seem to have a decent personality, that’s enough for you. This behavior is toxic because you overlook your partner’s negative traits.

You might have to put up with someone mistreating or abusing you. It would help if you learned that, no matter how pretty the cover looks, that doesn’t mean the inside matches. When you finally fall in love, looks won’t matter as much. Sure, attraction stays essential, but true love is more than that. You care about someone so much that they always look beautiful in your eyes.

2.      Infatuation Is Obsessive. True Love Is Compassionate

If we could describe infatuation in just one word, it would be “obsessive.” All your thoughts revolve around the person who you are infatuated with. You always think about what they are doing and who they are with. This idea that your partner should always be on your mind is society’s idea of romance. People yearn for that kind of passion. But they forget that these recurring thoughts are toxic.

Passion can quickly become an obsession, and it often does with infatuation. It’s not just that you want to know that your partner is safe and happy. It’s that you want to know everything they do at all times. And chances are, you also want them to spend every living moment with you.

But true love never feels this way. You are not concerned with what they are doing at all times because you trust them. You never force them to spend time with you because you know you have enough time. If they are busy, you respect that. This kind of relationship is compassionate.

You want to see your partner grow and are happy you can go through life together. You don’t spend every second thinking about them because you know they’ll tell you how their day was when they get home. This connection is more mature and patient.

3.      True Love Is Respectful and Empathetic

Infatuation is often damaging because it’s about what you think and feel but never about the other person. You don’t even need to know someone; you become infatuated with them. Because of that, infatuation is very egotistical. It’s all about what you want and what you like, but never about the other person and what they prefer. So even if you get into a relationship with someone you’re infatuated with, it won’t be based on respect.

It’ll just be something you impulsively decide to do. You won’t cherish the person you’re with, and they won’t love you. Instead of being empathetic, you risk bringing each other down. You could end up with someone who is only satisfied if you act according to their image of you. And you’ll likely treat them the same.

But true love is only possible when two people meet and decide to build something together. In those cases, respect will be something that both of you value. So, you’ll work to have it in your relationship. Not only that, but you’ll be empathetic. You’ll find that you’ll be willing to sacrifice to see your partner happy. The beautiful thing is that they will reciprocate this behavior.

Your partner will also strive to see you happy, even at the cost of making some sacrifices. You’ll always feel safe and cherished. You won’t be anxious about where they are and what they’re doing. They respect you, and you trust them to give them freedom. This relationship will not be your whole life. Instead, the relationship will be an addition to an already satisfying lifestyle.

4.      Infatuation Is Not Bound to Last

We all would like to find the one we truly love when we are young and stay with them forever. Some people are lucky enough to have that kind of love in their lives. But most people go through a few short relationships before finding the one. That’s because infatuation is not a solid foundation for any relationship.

Marriage based on infatuation is probably the biggest mistake you can make in your love life. The marriage will likely end in divorce. And even if it doesn’t, you’ll never be delighted. Because infatuation is obsessive and gives people anxiety, it will always make you doubt your partner. You’ll never feel that you can fully trust them. This anxiety will make you act impulsively.

You’ll often accuse them of infidelity or lying. But, even if that doesn’t happen, other issues will appear. And you’ll find it hard to solve fights, as there’s a lack of empathy. But, when you find true love, all those issues will fade away. Sure, you’ll still fight sometimes, and that’s normal. But you’ll trust them and know they truly value you.

You and your partner will always solve fights because you know that, no matter what, it’s you against the world. You’ll always be a team and value each other more than your pride. You’ll even feel the dynamic difference because you won’t be anxious about losing them. These relationships will last because of all of these reasons.

Final Thoughts on Some Differences Between Infatuation and True Love

Love is tricky to navigate and even trickier to find. There are many types of love, and you’ll likely experience all of them. If you haven’t already found your true love, don’t worry. You have all the time in the world. Even if you’ve seen them, that might not be the case. You might just be infatuated with someone, confusing that for love.

Infatuation is a normal feeling. Unfortunately, it often makes people act irrationally or become toxic. Infatuation is much different from true love because it is egotistical and obsessive. True love is selfless, empathetic, respectful, and compassionate. That’s not the case for infatuation. That feeling is only based on appearances.

In that case, you could even ignore red flags because of how blinded it makes you. Maybe this connection feels like true passion, but it’s not sustainable. True love is steadier and more patient. When you finally find the one, you will understand there’s no rush. You have all the time to build a happy life alongside the one you love.

Originally Published: www.powerofpositivity.com

The post 4 Differences Between Infatuation and True Love appeared first on Table for Change.

Your close friends and family are important, and they have helped you become the person you are. No matter what distance lies between you, they are there in your heart and soul. As you grew together, you became permanently entwined in one another’s lives.

Those who you see often are still contributing to the person you are yet becoming. The length of the friendship won’t matter, because all close friends and family are important and dear.

Close friends and family are special because no matter what happens, they want to see you smile. Your happiness is just as important to them as their own, and you’ll know who these people are. These fun quotes about friends and family will bring your loved ones to mind and a smile to your face.

Fun Quotes About Friends and Family

1. “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” – C.S. Lewis

When you realize that you have something in common with another person, it forms a bond. If the thing you have in common is unusual, the bond will be even tighter. Friendships form over people having things in common, and this fun quote explains just how that happens.

2. “The real test of friendship is can you literally do nothing with the other person? Can you enjoy those moments of life that are utterly simple?” – Eugene Kennedy

With a true friend, you will be able to enjoy your time when you are doing nothing. Simply spending time relaxing with them will be enough, because the companionship is what’s important. When you can enjoy time like this with a friend, you will know that they are real friends.

3. “Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.” – Lisa Weed

When you have a family, it means you always have someone to turn to. You are part of something that can’t be broken, and you will always have someone who loves you. Remember that even when times get hard between you, they will still be there when you need them.

4. “Family members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are related to you, can be your family.” – Trenton Lee Stewart

Friends and family are very similar because they both love you unconditionally and want the best for you. They will be there in your times of need and during times of peace. You will always be able to count on them.

With that being said, remember that your family can also be your best friends, as Stewart explains. Likewise, you can consider your best friends to be family regardless of the lack of blood relation.

5. “It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

You don’t always have to be serious or professional around your friends. Be silly, laugh, and be yourself. With a friend, it’s encouraged.

Friends are the people you feel comfortable being yourself around. You should feel comfortable and be able to let your true colors show.

6. “Real friendship is when your friend comes over to your house, and you both just want to take a nap.” – Unknown

You don’t always have to be doing something fun when you’re with a friend. If you’re tired and want to lay around, have the companionship is enough. When you have someone that you are comfortable enough in their presence to take a nap, keep them around.

7. “I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.” – Plutarch

Life wouldn’t be much fun if your friends were just like you. They should make things different. So, be yourself and let them be who they are, too.

You need someone in your life who has different ideas from your own. They should bring new insight into your life and cause you to see things you wouldn’t have seen otherwise. This is a good thing because you don’t need a second shadow.

8. “Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.” – Brad Henry

Your family is often your inspiration to reach your goals. Plus, they are where you go for comfort when you’re feeling down. They are there for the good and the bad, remaining steady as they guide you.

9. “Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” – Oprah Winfrey

Your true friends and family will be there when things aren’t great. They won’t only show up for the excitement and fun, as Winfrey explains. The ones who stick around when life gets hard are the ones you should keep close.

10. “The single most important factor in our long-term happiness is the relationships we have with our family and close friends.” – Clayton M. Christensen

Even being successful and having materialist things can’t make you happy. Having good relationships with friends and family can, however. This is the only way to reach long-term happiness because momentary happiness can’t replace that.

11. “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust

Your loved ones help create who you are. They bring happiness that leads to all the other amazing things about you. When you have them in your life, show them you are grateful for what they bring to your soul.

12. “Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones you accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.” – Unknown

Friends can be family, too. The people who are there for you through everything and want to be in your life are your family. Whether they are blood or not, your family will want you to be happy and feel loved all the time.

13. “You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach because you do not just live in a world, but a world lives in you.” – Frederick Buechner

If your friends and family are far away from you, remember that you still have them inside you. They will always be there in your heart and mind because your memories and emotions are there. When you are missing them, look inside yourself, and you’ll find a little piece of them there.

14. “The family – that dear octopus from whose tentacles we never quite escape, nor, in our inmost hearts, ever quite wish to.” – Dodie Smith

No matter how far away you go or how often you see one another, your family is always with you. All the memories that you have shared and all the times you grew together are there. You can’t escape it, as it’s always going to be a part of you.

15. “You can always tell a real friend: when you’ve made a fool of yourself, he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.” – Laurence J. Peter

The way to recognize a friend is by telling them when you’ve done something dumb. Once you’ve told them, a true friend’s opinion of you won’t change. They will continue loving you the same as they did before, and they will still realize how amazing you are.

Final Thoughts on Fun Quotes About Friends and Family

Certain people in your life likely came to mind as you read these fun quotes about friends and family. If so, be sure to share the quote with them, so they know you were thinking of them.

Close friendships and family connections are important, so be sure to nurture the relationships and show that you are grateful. These are the people who contribute the most to your life, and that want to see you happy.

Friends and family help you grow and are there for you when you’re down. They are there for the good times and the bad, and you can always count on them. Remember these fun quotes about friends and family so you can share them with your loved ones.

Originally Published: www.powerofpositivity.com

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Brilliant Friendship

A Brilliant Friendship can be all kinds of things. People form friendships to avoid loneliness, to have fun, or out of convenience (like people who live next door to each other). However, there is also a special kind of friendship which we can all develop: one that deliberately and consciously fosters brilliance. You are both setting the intention to bring forth the very best — the most brilliant thoughts — in each other.

Sometimes it is really helpful to engage in this type of friendship with someone who is in the same field as you. For example, one of my very obviously brilliant friendships is with my friend John Gray (who some people know because he wrote Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus). We regularly spend time together, and we always end up thinking things we have never thought before, saying things we have never said before, and we even wrote a book together that had never been written before.

Jonathan Robinson, who lives in Nevada City where I live, also writes books and likes to talk about a lot of the same things I do. We often go for walks, and we are very clear that the point is not simply to exercise or to chit chat — the point of the walk is to stimulate each other, to inspire each other, to have new, brilliant ideas… live on the walk. We have discovered a little technique that really helps with this.

When we meet in the parking lot of the trail where we are going to walk, initially we just start walking. After a while, we begin the practice. It starts with one of us talking for five minutes about something he has been thinking about: it could be the outline of a book, a blog post, or anything that is percolating. He talks about something that is currently germinating, while the other simply listens, with no interruption. Then, after five minutes, we switch to dialogue mode, and the one who was listening can start to interact. Brilliant Friendship.

Important to Support A Friend Through Difficult Times

We have discovered three modes of interaction, and each has its purpose.The first is encouragement. Wow, you’re so brilliant!… that’s fantastic… I can’t believe you thought that up… you make me faint with just how brilliant you are… you know, the whole world will be changed by your idea! This way of responding makes the other person feel good, but does not necessarily inspire him to think further beyond where he has gone with his idea. He tends to relax and congratulate himself. It is sometimes helpful to have this kind of encouragement.

The second kind of response is critical feedback. Have you thought this through?… I don’t think that’s going to work… I mean, you know, a car driven entirely by soap bubbles, that’s a lot of soap bubbles you have to create, and anyway what about the pollution? Have you even looked into the polluting effects of billions of people emitting soap bubbles all day? Besides which, what’s it going to do to visibility on the freeway, if there are all these soap bubbles floating everywhere? That would be critical feedback: to pick holes and to challenge the speaker. This can be demoralizing of course, but it does sharpen the mind towards having new, more brilliant thoughts, which had not previously been thought. Brilliant Friendship.

Here is what you need to know about My True Friend

The last kind of feedback is curiosity. Tell me more about that… I didn’t quite understand this bit… so, when you said “brilliant,” did you mean “inspired,” did you mean “very intelligent,” or, by “brilliant,” did you mean “shining brightly?” What exactly was your meaning… what exactly do you mean by this word? When you said that you get together with your friend, could it be any friend… is there anything here to do with age or cultural background? Curious means: Tell me more; I’m interested but I don’t have enough information about Brilliant Friendship. 

All of these three responses are useful in one way or another to bring out the best ideas from your friend: encouragement, criticism, and curiosity. We have discovered that there is an ideal ratio in this practice: approximately 40% encouraging, 10% critical, and 50% curious. At the beginning, when you start to take brilliant walks with brilliant friends in brilliant places, it is a great idea to monitor and ask yourself: what is my default state? Almost everybody has one habitual way of listening and responding. Some people are always encouraging. Oh, this is great… this is wonderful… fantastic… thank you… Some other people are repetitively critical. They cannot help but pick an argument with almost everything, especially if they were raised in a very intellectual family or were highly educated at University. These people are typically trained in critical thinking. Some people, on the other hand, are just naturally curious. It is a great idea in the beginning to pay attention to what is your default ratio, and see if you can consciously practice your way to the 40 : 10 : 50 ratio of Brilliant Friendship.

Don’t Just Sit There! T.R.A.V.E.L. for a better friendship

After having read this, I would love to encourage you to go take a brilliant walk with a brilliant friend, expressing brilliant ideas about a brilliant topic that can help all of humanity. If you do that, I would like you to invite you to come back right here and report on your brilliant walk in the comments box below. Brilliant Friendship.

Originally Published: arjunaardagh.com

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A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest. A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.

A simple friend has never seen you cry. A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.

A simple friend doesn’t know your parents’ first names. A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.

A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party. A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean.

A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed. A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.

A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems. A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.

A simple friend wonders about your romantic history. A real friend could blackmail you with it.

A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument. A real friend calls you after you had a fight.

A simple friend expects you to always be there for them. A real friend expects to always be there for you!

Friendship test can be helpful when you have a bonding with your friends. This will make up as your quality time.

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There once was a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon.

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew it. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

“How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with yours each year?” the reporter asked.

“Why sir,” said the farmer, “didn’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from a field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn.”

He is very much aware of the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor’s corn also improves.

So it is with our lives. Those who choose to live in peace must help their neighbors to live in peace. Those who choose to live well must help others to live well, for the value of a life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who choose to be happy must help others to find happiness, for the welfare of each, is bound up with the welfare of all.

Help Your Neighbors

The lesson for each of us is this

if we are to grow good corn, we must help our neighbors grow good corn.

Helping our neighbors can make us grow just like in business if you are the manager you must help your employees get new skills that you know this if they got more skilled you will be wealthier and more blessed. You’ll be more blessed if you give.

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Inmate Mitchell King had a visitor — his wife. King was serving a six-year jail term in Auckland, New Zealand for armed robbery. But his wife did not want to be away from him for that long. So they held hands… and they stuck. She had rubbed her palms with Super Glue. Their new-found closeness was short-lived. And their separation was painful.

This technique is not recommended for a “close relationship.” But if you want more closeness… if you desire relationships that are deeper and broader, more meaningful and longer-lasting, then remember the acronym for “TRAVEL.”

T is for TRUST – Trust is the glue that holds people together (not Super Glue). A relationship will go nowhere without it.

R is for RESPECT – “Do not save your loving speeches for your friends till they are dead; do not write them on their tombstones, speak them rather now instead,” writes Anna Cummins. It’s about respecting others and letting them know that you value them.

A is for AFFECTION – Sometimes affection means love. Sometimes it means a touch. Always it means kindness.

V is for VULNERABILITY – Though we may feel afraid to let another too close, no relationship will go anywhere without risking vulnerability. Entrepreneur Jim Rohn says, “The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness, also keep out the joy.” And the love.

E is for EMOTIONAL INTIMACY – Learn to be open. Learn to communicate freely. What kinds of relationships you make are largely determined by how openly you have learned to communicate.

L is for LAUGHTER – Victor Borge got it right when he said, “Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” It’s also the most enjoyable.

For relationships that can really go somewhere, just remember the word “TRAVEL”… Then enjoy the trip!

A true friendship lasts forever. An in a friendship relationship you must prioritize T.R.A.V.E.L.

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Have you ever wondered what the real essence of the saying “A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed” is? People talk about the true value of friendship actually without knowing what it stands for. True friendship is the one, in which the individuals do not have to maintain formalities with each other. Sharing true friendship is the situation when the person you are talking about is counted as one among your family members when the relationship you share with him/her reaches a stage that even if you don’t correspond for some time, your friendship remains unscathed. Best friends need not meet up often to make sure that the friendship remains constant.

The trust between best friends is such that if one friend falls in trouble, the other will not think twice to help. If the bond between two friends is strong, true friends can endure even long distances. For them, geographical separation is just a part of life. It would not affect their friendship. They make it a point to stay in touch, even in the verge of being exhausted due to the drudgery of everyday life. True friendship never fades away. In fact, it grows better with time. True friendship thrives on trust, inspiration, and comfort. Best friends come to know, when the other person is in trouble, merely by listening to their “Hello” over the phone. They can even understand each other’s silence.

True friends don’t desert each other when one is facing trouble. They would face it together and support each other, even if it is against the interests of the other person. Best friends don’t analyze each other; they don’t have to do so. They accept each other with their positive and negative qualities. Nothing is hidden from true friends. They know each other’s strengths as well as weaknesses. One would not overpower the other. They would respect each other’s individuality. In fact, they would understand the similarities and respect the differences. Best friends don’t stand any outsider commenting or criticizing their friendship and they can put up a very firm resistance if anyone does so.

True friends are not opportunists. They don’t help because they have something to gain out of it. True friendship is marked by selflessness. Best friends support even each other, even if the whole world opposes them. It is not easy getting true friends for the lifetime. If you have even one true friend, consider yourself blessed. Remember, all best friends are friends, but not all friends can be best friends. In this world of cynics and backstabbers, there are still some people who are worth being friends with. They have to be recognized and respected for being best friends, for the lifetime.

Know your true and real friend. They are the one who will help you when you’re down.

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