If you have been feeling lonely or isolated lately, perhaps the reason is that you have not been in contact with your friends recently.  Our friends sustain us during difficult times and help us celebrate life's victories.  Give your friends a call and let them hear from you how important they are in your life.

But what if you don't have many friends?  What if it is hard for you to name even one true, good friend? 

The answer is, of course, that in order to have friends you must invite them into your life.  That is the correct way to go about it -- invite them in.  Even though we speak of building friendships as making friends, there is no way to make someone be your friend.  Friendships are born when people share something of themselves and begin to believe they have something in common with the other person, some measure of common ground. 

So this week, try inviting someone new into your life.  Be the first to speak up when standing in line at the coffee shop or the post office, or anywhere else you might be.  Strike up a conversation about something pleasant (it probably isn't a good idea to try to begin by complaining about something). 

Let people know that their presence in your life matters by finding out what is important to them.  It is also difficult to build a relationship with someone else when all you want to do is talk about yourself.  Take turns.  Learn what is going on with the other person, and trust that the conversation will get back around to you eventually.  Experience the joy of the give-and-take that is so vital to building lasting friendships. 

If this seems to risky, ask yourself this question:  What have you got to lose?  If you already feel you don't have any friends, and you are feeling dissatisfied about it, why not make a change by trying something new?

Take a chance, and see where it may lead.  You may just find a new friend.  To help you take a chance and open up to making more friends please read our article titled The Importance of Small Talk.