You might be one of the richest people in the world?

"you can always tell a real friend:
When you make a fool of yourself,
he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job" Laurence Peter

Most people in surveys say that they are happier when they are with friends than when they are with either a spouse or even their children. That's a very surprising insight (if it's true). I would have assumed that for most people their spouse was their best friend? However, it does clearly illustrate the importance of having true friends.

"if you have at least one true friend, you are much richer than you think"

So what constitutes a true friend? I remember reading what Mark Twain had to say about it. He said something like this; "a friendship is not a true friendship until it has been tested. Until then it's just an acquaintance" That may not be a totally accurate quote (and I'm too lazy to look it up), but the point is valid.

Here are a few other indicators of whether are friends are true friends;

* When you need help, they are the first to offer assistance
* You can confide in them with your biggest problems
* In some way, they help you become a better person
* They like you when you screw up and they like you when you succeed
* They are faithful, loyal and sincere (yes, they tell you when you've done wrong)
* And, they make time for you, even if it is an inconvenience to them

"the only way to have a friend, is to be one" Ralph Waldo
Emerson

Friends that you develop through the workplace can be fleeting. Once one of you changes jobs the connection can be lost without some extra effort. The same goes for friendships developed through your spouce, it too can be fleeting. So, its always best to develop your own friendships.

"Great friends don't come cheap"

The price you pay for a great friend is your time, support, inspiration, empathy and advice. I assume you want a happy friend so it is incumbent on you to be a happy person. The price is high but so is the reward. Great friendships are high maintenance (I was going to say just like women, but I'm much too nice to go there).

"a great friend knows when it's time to shut up and let the other person do the talking"

The sum of all of this, is that to have a great friend you have to suppress your natural desire, which is to always put yourself first. Little wonder that so many say they don't have any great friends outside of the marriage.

"the best thing about friends is that you get to choose them"

Or as Dr Wayne Dyer joked...friends are God's reward for putting up with your family(unless your lucky like me and enjoy your family). So if you have great friend(s) take care of them and if you don't, go find yourself one and you will be infinitely richer!

Eduardo