Friends: Real and Fake Ones

“A friend in need is a friend indeed,” states the proverb. When you are in trouble, friends do come and help you. No wonder, we feel grateful for their support and attention.

And what about you in the state of happiness and success? How many of your friends become really and authentically happy for you?

Did you count? How many?

Those, who pretend to be your friends, research states, feel horrible and envy when you are on top of your success, popularity and real happiness (Kahneman et al., 2006). Their moods go down; fake smiles appear on their faces.

You can ask why?

The answer is clear. You have no common channels of happiness and real sensation of  friendship connecting you.

There exist people whose happiness depends of big sums of money, career growth and competition with you for popularity and excellence.

But we know with you, that friendship is much more dear and important than sums of money you have in your pocket or bank account.

Where are your real friends?

Who will be incredibly happy to hear your voice over telephone?

Love,

Natalia Levis-Fox

References

Kahneman, D., Krueger A. B., Schkade, D., Schwarz, N., Stone, A. A. Would You Be Happier If You Were Richer? A Focusing Illusion. Science 30 June 2006:Vol. 312. no. 5782, pp. 1908 - 1910DOI: 10.1126/science.1129688.