Surveys say the older we get, the less likely we are to make new friends and the harder it is to stay connected to the ones we have.

Perhaps it's because we don't want to invest the time. Maybe we don't want to deal with the emotional pain that sometimes comes with friendships. Whatever the reason, as we age, we seem to become more guarded and hesitant to form new relationships, reconnect with old ones, or even stay in contact with the ones we have.

Yet, we know that "friendships refresh the soul" (Proverbs 27:9). Have you ever noticed (Especially if they look older than you) how much better you feel during and after spending time with friends? And when it comes to making new friends, I have found that the pleasure of making them far outweighs any accompanying inconveniences.

You can make new friends or reconnect with old ones in the days ahead. Yes, there will be the possibility of failure or even some pain. But when (not if) it happens, you will make a positive difference in someone else's life and have a deeper appreciation for your own.