Make friends

13.08.22 (Thursday) Sunny (234) How to Make Friends\ People are social beings, and there are always countless connections between individuals. To live happily, one should make many friends; otherwise, loneliness and solitude leave no room for any happiness.\ Friends come in all kinds, but the principles of making friends are consistent. To make many friends and enhance friendship, one should follow the following “Six No's”:\ First is selflessness. People seem to make friends for the purpose of "more friends, more connections," to make things easier for themselves or gain benefits. Making friends with such motives will not result in good outcomes. True friendship should be selfless and desireless, considerate of the other person, and not for personal gain. Naturally, the reward of friendship is shared joy, not individual satisfaction. One should take pleasure in helping others and never base one's own happiness on the suffering of friends.\ Second is genuineness. Friends must treat each other with sincerity, never with falsehood or pretense, and genuinely exchange heartfelt intentions. While it is necessary to be cautious of deceit, one should not approach friendship with constant guard, as this prevents lasting friendships. Perhaps the other person may show deception and it needs to be distinguished, but one must not lie or speak exaggerations, empty words, official phrases, or clichés, but speak the truth. If something cannot be said, remain silent, but what is spoken must be truthful. Occasionally telling a well-intentioned lie is conditionally acceptable, but one must not deceive a friend.\ Third is going without regret. Despite differences among people and friends, once someone is a friend, there should be no complaints or regrets. Avoid excessive criticism, understand more, and be more tolerant. When disagreements or conflicts arise with friends, look more to oneself for reasons rather than blame the friend.\ “As all under heaven are brothers, friends exist in all five continents.” Relatives have closeness or distance, friends have deep or shallow bonds. Regardless of whether someone can become a friend, they should never become an enemy. Even if the other person acts against you, do not resent the friend or feel overwhelming regret, and never turn a friend into an enemy. Knowing and befriending is destiny; parting is simply fate without connection. Even if former friends lose contact and are no longer close, they are never complete strangers.\ Fourth is pricelessness. The value of friendship cannot be measured with money, hence “a gentleman's friendship is as plain as water”; brothers-in-arms for wine and food cannot be true friends. Friends are priceless because friendship is pure; friends are priceless because of a resonance of hearts. Among friends, there is equality without distinction of nobility or status; helping each other is done sincerely without expecting anything in return.\ Fifth is doubtlessness. As the saying goes, “Do not use those you doubt; use those you trust without doubt.” Similarly, do not make friends with those you distrust, and do not doubt those you befriend. To doubt others is to doubt oneself; to not trust others reflects lack of self-confidence. As long as one is upright and open, there is no need to doubt friends. Otherwise, suspicion breeds hidden fears, making any friendship unsustainable.\ Sixth is enduring. A friend should be for the long term, not just for immediate use or temporary dealings. Regardless of the other's ideas or actions, one should have long-lasting commitment.Some of my online friends I have known and communicated with for more than ten years. Although we have never met in person even once, we talk about everything. That feeling of speaking freely and letting it all out is very pleasant. Whenever I meet them online, it always feels so warm. Life is short, friendship lasts forever. May people all over the world be full of harmony and friendship, full of joy and happiness!