Romance Versus Friendships

The ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus claimed there are 3 fundamental things for a happy life. They are freedom, an examined life and friendship.

Now days we live in a society where one in three relationships divorce or couples go through a revolving door of relationships ( especially with online dating) even before they get to marriage, if it makes it that far.

Friendships are the new long-term relationships that outlast romance and marriage. They can be as dynamic as romantic relationships and fraught with the same ailments such as jealously and competitiveness but there are different types of resilience built into their social structures.

On TV we see programs like “Friends" or “Sex and The City” as an example. We have yearned for share houses and weekends away with the girls as respite away from the everyday. In unstable times, we need these forms of relationships to reflect our own lives back to us.

When the world doesn’t make sense, friends help us through it.

Research shows us that we seek validation more then happiness to create a meaningful life so its down to our friends to witness the good, the bad and the ugly.

So everyone, take time to prioritise your friendships, forgive former friends and hold on to those who matter.

If the old saying ‘we are the sum of our relationships’ rings true for you then let us make sure we acquire meaningful friendships, after all friendships are a gift – the gift that keeps giving.

Anything is possible if you have the right people there to support you … Misty Copland