Vani paced up and down the hospital corridor, waiting desperately for some news of her mother’s condition. The whole day had been a nightmare. The call to her office, her dash to the hospital, the doctor’s grim prognosis of her mother’s condition. For the first time in her power-packed life, she felt hopeless and, even worse, alone. Her eyes blurring with tears, she slowly made her way to the chair preparing herself for a long and lonely vigil. She suddenly heard her name being called and as she looked up, she saw her friend Uma hurrying towards her. The sight of her friend, her face puckered up with sympathy was a boost to Vani’s flagging spirits. Her mother recovered from the ordeal, but what Vani remembered most of that horrible night was her friend’s hand on her shoulder, and her words of sympathy and hope.

Deep, caring relationships are really important to both our mental and physical well-being. Simply having someone to talk to or place our trust in, makes the road of life easier to walk on.

It is a proven fact that people with a rich network of supportive partners to whom they can turn to when in trouble, live longer and healthier lives.

The saying ‘Two heads are better than one’ is so true. Try tackling a task on your own, like maybe, shifting your house. The move will leave you feeling exhausted and dissatisfied. With a partner or a group of friends, this can become a fun-filled and creative exercise, and what’s more, over in a jiffy.

Friends nurture you through good times and bad. When you work together as a team, you reap the rewards manifold and celebrate your successes many times over.

Human beings are not meant to live alone. They are meant to live in harmony and companionship with each other. To support and help each other. To encourage one another to move beyond their limitations.

In this fast paced life, where every minute counts, you may not have had the time or may have neglected to keep in touch with friends. You need to rectify this immediately. Good friends are like rare stones. Hard to come by.

Remember the sacred rule of friendship –‘The only way to have a friend is to be one.’

It’s time to whip out your diary again and invest some fruitful time in strengthening your friendship bonds.

List the names of people with whom you share the strongest, closest bonds. Include those who have been sources of warmth and approval in your earlier days, as well as those who actively support you now.

Think of all the people you would feel comfortable talking to or enjoy sharing a meal.

As you list the names, you may find yourself wishing you were in closer touch with them. Prepare a second list of names of friends you haven’t seen or kept in touch for a long time and whom you would like to know better.

Do something special for them – a phone call, a letter, a gift or a hug to let them know they’re really important to you.

Build a rich network of supportive individuals and watch your life blossom!

Enrich your life by surrounding yourself with people you care about and who care about you.