Quality vs. Quantity: Which is more important in friendships?

When we are younger, we usually migrate towards crowds. We want to be a part of the cool, popular group of people that everybody likes and admires. A sought after clique and it was believed the more the merrier. We believed that there was strength in numbers and it felt good to have numerous people hanging around you. They gave you the appearance of popularity and acceptance.

As we grow older the number of people in our social and personal circles decline. We begin to value such traits as loyalty, honesty, stability and respect. All of a sudden it is not the quantity but the quality that matters in our friendships. We search for people who accept us just as we are no need for conformity, change or forced facades.

They enjoy spending time with you, and will help you with anything they can. These people are there for you during the good and the bad times. They will not turn their backs on you in your time of need ever. These are the things that matter in a friendship once we reach a certain level of maturity.

It's better to have one friend of great value than many friends of little value.

As we go through the many trial and tribulations in our lives, this is a lesson that many of us learn. Would you rather be associated with forty people who know nothing about you or a few people who truly love and care for you?

When you deal with quantity type friendships the only time you may see them is at a social function or outing. There is no deep relationship because there is a lack of communication and trust. Most people would rather have four good friends. People they can share their lives with, the good, the bad and the ugly and know they will not be judged by supported.

A person is truly lucky if they have one person they can call a true friend. This person is worth 100 acquaintances. This is the difference between quantity and quality. It is how many of us learn to appreciate our friendships and understand the importance of experiencing this type of connection with someone. It enhances our lives in many, many ways.

Repost from:  here

Jangan Lupakan Teman Lama Kalau Kamu Sudah Punya Teman Baru

Make new friends, but keep the old;

Those are silver, these are gold.

New-made friendships, like new wine,

Age will mellow and refine.

Friendships that have stood the test -

Time and change – are surely best;

Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,

Friendship never knows decay.

For ‘mid old friends, tried and true,

Once more we our youth renew.

But old friends, alas! may die,

New friends must their place supply.

Cherish friendship in your breast -

New is good, but old is best;

Make new friends, but keep the old;

Those are silver, these are gold.

by Joseph Parry

Ketika kita bertambah lebih tua dan hidup terus berjalan, orang terus-menerus masuk ke dalam hidup kita. Ketika kita pergi ke sekolah, memulai pekerjaan baru atau menikmati waktu luang, we’re making friends all the time. Kadang-kadang bisa rumit menjaga teman-teman lama ketika menemukan yang baru, but there are ways to hold on to the few true friends while you memorize those new names and faces.

Allow Yourself to Make New Friends

Memulai pekerjaan baru, pergi ke sekolah baru atau pindah ke tempat baru akan menciptakan banyak kesempatan bagi kita untuk bertemu orang baru dan berteman. Enjoy these opportunities and make great friends by not limiting yourself to your old buddies.

Create a Balance

Yup! Buat keseimbangan. Sah-sah saja kita punya teman baru tapi yang lama juga jangan dilupakan ya! Do not forget about your old friends! Your friends you have that history with… that connection with. Jangan gara-gara kita sudah menemukan teman baru yang “gue banget” lalu melupakan yang lama, yah paling tidak ingat teman yang punya bond atau ikatan dengan kita, atau deep history together. Kata Oscar Wilde, “Even though we’ve changed and we’re all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we’ll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we’re not all still friends.”

Stay connected

Cara terbaik untuk menjaga teman-teman lama simply by staying in touch, dengan tetap berhubungan, paling tidak lewat SMS, facebook, twitter, dll. Your old friends know you the best and have shared many memories with you, so tell them all about your new experiences.  

Making new friends is part of everyone’s life journey, but make sure you hold onto the people who have been along for the ride for a long time. Old friends and new friends are equally important, and keeping both close to you may be easier than you’d expect.