Build Solid Friendships Beyond Your Social Networks

They say that strangers are friends we never met---yet.

Some sociologists say that that's why we never get to build and nurture solid friendships and relationships is that we're satisfied and get comfortable to stay within our casual ties with co workers and social networks like Facebook, Twitter or Myspace.

Maybe another reason why we tend to settle with online pals and weak ties it's because we're too afraid to open up to new acquaintances and pour our hearts and souls to potential new friends, because we're already too accustomed with some of our old friends.

But old friends never stay long; time, distance, marriages, kids, careers and ultimately, death can separate us all. That's why it's important not to hesitate getting to know new people, talking and listening to them, which in the long run, make lasting friendships grow. Just like an old day passes, surely, a new day shall arrive and we shall welcome it.

Though some people we just knew we may pass assumptions and judgements on, it's also quite unfair if we don't give them a chance by investing time to get to know them better.

You see, it's easier to judge a person right away seeing only surface issues. But there are more to them than meets the eye. Or, some of us may hold back forming new friendships because of love lost in friendships like betrayal, disappointments, resentments, bitterness etc.

Thus, the next time we meet new people which cross our paths, we tend to be more cautious, no problem with that. But to completely write them off and not giving them a chance to be part of our friends zone may be limiting us of more social interaction which may lead the way for more fulfilling and enriching experiences since we tend to grow and learn also from other people.

Don't be afraid to open up and be vulnerable all over again just because of broken friendships.

The next time you see that familiar neighbor of yours whose name slipped your mind, why not extend your hand to get to know him?

Remember, the strangers are our friends we never met yet.