In our fast-paced world, friends come and go, and circumstances change. Each can have a place in our lives in different ways. The friend you party with may not be the one you care to tell your deepest secrets.

Friendship is one of those areas full of hidden assumptions and unspoken rules. We only discover the value of our relationships when those assumptions clash.

Evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty and trust. Real friends give to and receive from each other. Fair-weather friends do not know the meaning of reciprocity. They take all we have to give, but we never see a return on our investment. We all need friends who listen, care and offer help when needed, in good times and bad.

Our friends can have a profound influence on us, often in subtle ways. Be mindful of whom you choose as your closest friends because you will surely grow to resemble each other.