How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold over thirty million copies, and nearly a century later, it still sells more than a quarter-million copies each year! It was first published in 1936. Is the book still relevant today? The answer is yes!

Friendships are an essential part of life. Building these relationships is based on the skills we have to form solid friendships. We need to look for similar interests, see things from their point of view, encourage them, avoid conflicts and consistently seek to flatter them. It seems easy to do, but we can quickly fail to remember these points at times. It can sometimes seem one-sided, and then a seed is planted in your mind, beginning the growth of weeds to suffocate the friendship.

Environmental Friendships

Are your friendships based on the environment you are in? Do you have work friends, school friends, organizational friends, or “old” friends? In life, we have a season for everything! Are your friendships based on the season you are in?

It is interesting to look at your friend list on social media. You have an entire list of friends or followers. How many are indeed friends? How do you describe a friend?

Defining Friendship

Friendship is a relationship between two people who genuinely enjoy being together, have similar interests, share the same values, and protect each other. Friends are like family! They support you during times of need, encourage you, tell you the truth and accept you for who you are as an individual.

I think the best way to separate a true friend and an acquaintance is time. For example: “Hey, I know you are going to treatments, and I want to help you by going with you on my days off. Let me know your schedule.” Another response: “So sorry to hear about what you are going through. My thoughts are with you.”

Of the two statements, which one comes from a friend? Which one comes from an acquaintance? Words are just words until they become actions. Time is a gift you cannot give away to many people. You only have 24 hours in a day. So if a friend gives you time, this is a special gift that only you receive.

I change into the gown for my treatment. I keep my phone with me until the nurse takes me back to begin the treatments. “You got this girl.” A text message appears. Thanks I have my gown on and ready to go back. “Watch out for the cameras!” I know with a laughing face. My friend Jeanette is waiting in the other room. Just what I needed before heading back for my radiation treatment for the day. Val had sent her emoji’s of praying hands, hearts and fun stuff. Becky had sent me her words of prayer with me I re-read. Dianna had sent a care package of skin care. I felt great!

Rituals of Friendship

We have talked about habits, next steps, sequences, patterns, and daily routines. If you look at close friends, you will discover a ritual. Your friendship is based on a ritual you have together: Maybe it is going to eat lunch after church each Sunday, Going to a Yoga class every Tuesday, Attending a Book Club every Monday, Talking on the phone daily, or any other combination of things. Friendships are developed in many different ways!

I can speak about how meaningful friendships are in my life journey. My life has been full of many challenges, life-threatening experiences, and hardships. I can count on my little friend list to always be there no matter the situation. In return, they know I will do all I can to help them. Today, make a point to add friends not to your list but to your active life. Grab a copy of How to When Friends and Influence People to gain more insight into building friendships. As long as I can remember my Friday on my calendar always had scheduled Family and Friends night! Many blessings to all of the Friends!!

• Relationships