Ten Tips for Maintaining Healthy Friendships

1. Reach out.

Friendship is a two-way street. Don't stand on the side-lines hoping for someone to walk up and introduce herself. Take the first step yourself! Do you see potential for a good friendship with someone you recently met? Don't wait around for her to call you or ask you to join her at the mall. Are you a little shy? Maybe she is too, so make the effort.

2. Hang out.

Of course, spending quality time with a friend is essential to building a close friendship.

3. Speak out.

Don't be afraid to let your voice be heard, whether simply voicing your opinion or calling your friend out on something she's doing wrong. True friends speak up when they know it's right.

4. Listen up!

Don't just listen. Really HEAR. Be a good listener by being genuinely interested in what your friend has to say. Ask questions.

5. Hush up!

Gossip hurts, so avoid it like the plague. And that doesn't just mean not gossiping about your friends. When you hear people gossiping about someone--even if it's someone you can't stand--take a stand by not participating.

6. Zip your lip!

Keep personal, private information about yourself just that. Personal and private. If you have a close friend who you feel you can tell anything--don't. A careless (yet unintentional) slip of the tongue can do a lot of damage to what would otherwise be a healthy friendship.

7. Give!

Don't be afraid to give of yourself, your time, your resources. This doesn't mean you should try to buy someone's friendship. But friendship is give-and-take, so don't be stingy. You can do simple things for your friends like helping them with homework, sending them cards in the mail, remembering their birthdays.

8. No cliques!

We all need a special group of friends that we are close to. But that doesn't mean you have to stick to your clique everywhere you go. Let others in and don't be afraid to form friendships outside your usual circle of friends.

9. Share.

Of course, we all learned when we were little to share our toys with other kids. And I suppose that still applies as we get older. But sharing also means that you share what's important to you. This can mean not getting jealous when your best friend develops a close friendship with someone else. It also means sharing your faith in Christ.

10. Pray!

You can pray with your friends, if they share your beliefs. But probably more important is to pray FOR your friends. That is one of the best gifts you can give them.