Saturday, September 29, 2012

Happiness and Your Relationships

The solution to "happiness" has been a puzzle ever since the beginning of mankind. There is no sure-win formula. However, there are certain things you can start with, for example, by noticing the people around you. This is not only for your romantic relationships but, more importantly, your friendships.

There are three types of friendships that come in the form of "precious," "aloof," and "dangerous." Let's end the discussion on a positive note and start with the most negative friendship.

THE DANGEROUS FRIEND
What makes someone a "dangerous friend," yet still a "friend"? Generally, you would not want to be around this type of person. However, (most commonly) they may be a childhood friend. You've grown up with them all your life and you just happened to play together as young children. As you grow older and meet more people, you begin to realize that you really aren't happy with your childhood friend. As a matter of fact, you begin to notice minute flaws with the person's character. Maybe he or she tries to sabotage your reputation in front of others to make herself look better. Maybe she secretly flirts with the guy she knows you not only like, but already have a flirty relationship with. Anything anyone does to meddle with your life should not be in your life. If you keep this dangerous friend around, you will only have to count the seconds until she strikes again. Ultimately, he or she will push you out to die in order to live a more comfortable life.


THE ALOOF FRIEND
You might have met him or her through a friend or through a party. To make them more than just an acquaintance, she has probably come out to a group event more than several times and may even have hung out with you one-on-one a few times. As you learn more about this person, you realize there's not much to learn. She is unwilling to open up her feelings and her personal world to you. At the same time, the moment you are under stress with your problems and want to share with her, you realize she just does not care. Then you finally understand she is only your friend when it is convenient for her. She is not a bad person, but, she has no heart to become your true friend.

THE PRECIOUS FRIEND
This is the one. This is the soulmate of the friendship world. Whether you met him or her in your younger years or you met her yesterday, you feel the beauty of your friendship immediately. She calls or texts you on a regular basis and you both share feelings and thoughts. You can both analyze and reason through any given situation and have it not escalate to the point of breakup. She knows when you are going through a rough time and will call you to hang out and make sure you are still OK. She is angry at you when you make stupid decisions that harm yourself. She shares her whole world with you and expects you to do the same. Whether you reciprocate the enthusiasm of this friendship, you must know that the precious friend is extremely rare and hard to find. No matter what, hold on tight to them!

Your happiness is in direct correlation to the people around you. Take a second to step back and analyze your friends. One must learn to let go of the ones who hurt them and surround herself with only the positive characters. Only then, can you start to enjoy true happiness.

Although you surround yourself with the right people, it does not ensure your happiness... But it is the step in the right direction.