Three Types of Friendship
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Contributed by Stephanie Staples at Your Life Unlimited
Having a night swim with friends to play in the bioluminescence – it was so cool, like millions of stars under the water!
This is my most favorite quote about friendship!
“We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.” ― Ray Bradbury
Aristotle highlighted the significance of friendships by categorizing them into three types:
Advantage Friendships: These tend to be a little on the shallow and self-centered side and can be short-lived. the benefits disappear, so does the friendship.
Pleasure Friendships: These involve people you enjoy spending time with, such as drinking buddies, book club members, or teammates. They bring joy and camaraderie into your life.
Character Friendships: The deepest form of friendship, these are built on trust and time. They are based on virtues you recognize in the other person and involve genuine care and sharing of your inner life.
Perhaps the most enriching friendships are those where we are dedicated to helping each other make inner progress. These friendships help us understand ourselves and the world more deeply, ultimately making each other better human beings.
Now…your life, your version, your plan…
Nurturing Advantage Friendships
There is nothing to be embarrassed about, we all need things from people. This post is about when I needed something.
Show Appreciation: Regularly express gratitude for the benefits and support you receive. This can help maintain a positive relationship.
Be Reliable: Honor your commitments and their time; be dependable and don’t ask for too much, too often.
Communicate Openly: Keep the lines of communication open and address any issues promptly to avoid misunderstandings. Stop ‘brain picking” – start ‘tapping into their brilliance’ and remember that you have (and should) offer something back – cue in the Law of Reciprocity.
