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The short answer is that a small group of good, quality friends is better. Most people have busy lives and caring for your friendships is as important as caring for the other relationships you have. If I had too many friends, I wouldn't have the time to be a good friend to them all. But of course, I am a woman and our friendships are important. Studies have proved that healthy friendships improve our lives, both mentally and physically.

There are times when your friends need you regardless of what you are doing. Taking this fact into consideration, it is easier to have a few very close friends than several. To be a true friend who loves your friends unconditionally, I would find it difficult to be the kind of friend I like to be if I had too many. As it is, if all my close friends are having a bad day on the same day, I will be drained by the time the last call or visit is complete.

A small group of friends is healthy. A friend can be of great comfort when you are feeling down. Its also important to have close friends to call when you have wonderful news to share. If you have a crisis, a close friend can help you. To maintain close friendships, its important to be a good friend. Those who constantly take without giving or talk without listening can be difficult to love. The respect for friendships and their value should be equal and if you don't share the same philosophy of friendships, it may not work.

My friends know they can share with me and I will never judge them. They know I can comfort them, while still voicing my opinion, which they know anyway but need to hear sometimes. I've learned that being a good listener is crucial. Sometimes a person reaching out doesn't want a solution, they just want to share and be understood. A simple "I know that must be hard for you" or "I understand how you feel" works wonders. A good friend will also appreciate a kick in the butt that is from the heart and necessary. It can be draining to have a friend with a multitude of problems who does not heed advice. Being sympathetic to friends like these will get old rather quickly. It may be necessary to refrain from advice-giving if it falls on deaf ears. Honesty is always best.

My friendships are a very important part of my life. I have so many warm and special memories and I truly cannot imagine my life without my very best friends. They help me to remain calm when I'm angry, feel pretty when I'm PMSing, and smart when I am feeling like I haven't achieved enough. They remind me of my qualities, my faults, and how much I am loved. They've been through dating, marriage, childbirth, divorce, and dating again with me. School, careers, being broke, successful, learning to drive, cook, dress, and laugh with me as we search our closets for skinny jeans or fat jeans. My friends don't expect an apology if I am inappropriate, forgetful, or temporarily self-absorbed. There are very few relationships in life without conditions and friendships, thankfully are exactly that.

Studies also prove that the elderly can enjoy their lives much more if they have friends. What would be hard to imagine is not having any friends. Whether you have five friends or fifty, be thankful you have them and be good to them.

Learn more about this author, Sharon Jenson.
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