There’s nothing wrong with having lots of friends. But we shouldn’t assume having more friends will mean more happiness. More likely, we’ll feel greater joy by developing close relationships with a few people we trust than by having many superficial relationships.
We can build quality relationships through “small and simple” means (Alma 37:6), like these:
- Be interested. You don’t have to have the same interests, but you can choose to care about what they enjoy. Adopt the attitude of “If it matters to you, then it matters to me.”
- Remember names. Learning someone’s name can help them feel valued and important.
- Listen. Encourage others to talk about themselves. People feel appreciated when someone pays attention! Practice genuinely caring about what they have to say.
- Show you care. People appreciate knowing that what they say and do matters. Follow the “golden rule” and treat them kindly, like how you would want to be treated.
Elder Uchtdorf once taught that we build relationships one person at a time, “by being sensitive to the needs of others, serving them, and giving of our time and talents.” He also said, “I was deeply impressed by one sister who was burdened with the challenges of age and illness but decided that although she couldn’t do much, she could listen. And so each week she watched for people who looked troubled or discouraged, and she spent time with them, listening. What a blessing she was in the lives of so many people.”1
How can you help build a quality relationship today?
Let’s Get Social
Note
1. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Things That Matter Most,” general conference, Oct. 2010.