by Joyce M. George-Knight

Created on: December 02, 2009   Last Updated: December 03, 2009

Who would not enjoy having more good friends? After all, they know how to brighten your day when life seems gloomy. Not only do they lift your spirit, but they can tickle your funny bone. Best of all, a true friend makes you feel like the most special person on earth. The surest way to get more people to be your friend is for you to act as a friend toward those individuals.

Perhaps the biggest fear in reaching out to another person is rejection. Nobody likes negative responses after you've, for example, stuck out your hand in greeting. However, if you don't take the risk, you may never know what the outcome could have been. Keep in mind that such rejection may have nothing at all to do with you. The other person could be having a bad day or may not be focused and, therefore, is oblivious to his or her negligence.

Your most treasured friend may be the one who lends and ear when you need to release frustration or to celebrate success. Who doesn't appreciate a good listener? One, who doesn't put in his or her two cents worth, but clearly indicates hearing what is being said by a nod, a smile and by paraphrasing a statement from time-to-time, clearly demonstrates an interest in what is being conveyed. While this is only one means of being a friend, it is perhaps the most important aspect.

Think about things people who you consider to be your friends, have done for you. What actions indicated their friendship? Most often, it's the little things that touch the heart the deepest. Someone, knows you were ill, brought over a meal for you or offered to go grocery shopping for you. How about those phone calls that come when you need them the most? Good friends are so tuned into you that they get simply seem to know without being told. How special those moments are when you open a card from one, who tells you that you are the appreciated?

Besides actions, an unwritten rule of friendship is honesty. Certainly if you are going out of your way for someone, you expect that person to be nothing but totally up front with you. There's a bond that forms, based on honesty, that can last a lifetime. Once that trust is broken, it may never be repaired. Even if mending occurs, the friendship may never be like it once was. Therefore, a word of caution is to think carefully before speaking or acting, especially in times of hurt, disappointment and anger.

Friendships can occur when you least expect it. Somebody you meet in a restaurant or grocery store, a regular customer or regular pew neighbor at church could become your new best friend. Connections are not accidents. They tend to occur throughout life, thus making the journey more easy and pleasant.

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