The Value of Friendship

Illustrative
The value of friends.

Friendship is an important aspect of one’s life, and the more we develop quality friendships, the happier we often become and the more connected we feel to the social world around us. In many ways, friendship also plays a significant role in the world of business and life. When people become familiar with you and learn to trust your perceptions and judgments, opportunities tend to open up. This is one reason social networking is so common for those trying to advance within an organization, career, or professional field.

Much of what happens in life occurs through our social affiliations. These connections help us feel part of society and our communities, and they also help things get done when they need to be done. Because of this, being socially involved is both beneficial and practical. Friendship can take many forms, including close personal friends, social clubs, business associates, veterans groups, sports and recreation partners, or connections formed through shared activities.

On a deeper level, people are designed to function as part of a social organism. Those who are skilled at connecting people and building friendships are especially valuable because they foster interactions that often lead to growth and development. At the same time, it is important to be thoughtful about the types of friends you keep, as they tend to influence you personally and often reflect aspects of your own value system.

This does not mean judging every friend over minor details, but it does mean striving to surround yourself with quality individuals—people who are honest, demonstrate integrity, have your best interests in mind, and show consistency in their behavior. When you surround yourself with strong people, your chances of succeeding both personally and professionally increase because your support network is solid.

On the other hand, if you surround yourself with people who create negative experiences, you are more likely to become entangled in those negative patterns. This study was interesting because it explored the nature of friendship and reviewed existing literature on the topic. Whether you are a regular person, a veteran, or simply someone living your life, it is worth considering the importance of good friends and how they help create a sense of connectedness with the world.

Adult Friendships and Wellbeing