• Be yourself. Everyone brings special and unique qualities to friendships. That's what draws other people to you and allows relationships to become richer and wiser. Be proud of yourself as an individual and how different you are from everyone else.

• Be Outgoing. Everyone is shy in some way or another, and there is nothing wrong with that, but it's hard to attract new friends if you come across as being anti-social. Introduce yourself to new people, listen to what they have to say and acknowledge their point of view. Beware of taking all the attention though; no one likes a show off who always wants to be the center of attention. You can be respectful, helpful and nice to others to get noticed without bragging or being annoying.
• Use technology . In this age of online chat rooms, social networking pages and email, the definition of friendship has expanded. Although some people will never understand how others can be so close to someone they have never seen in person, others realize that the changing world also means the bonds of friendships are not limited to speaking face to face, going to dinner or talking on the telephone.
• Be honest. Building a relationship with a friend requires taking risks by trusting and expecting trust in return from that individual. In order to promote a healthy relationship there must be equality and loyalty between friends and a strong desire to work through any challenges that come up.
• Face your problems. All relationships face challenges. The most effective way to help your relationships grow and remain intact is to face them together. If you find yourself in a sticky situation with a friend, talk to them. They may be feeling the same tension or miscommunication and working through it as a cohesive unit will promote a much healthier and open relationship. Many conflicts in personal relationships can be avoided by taking time to acknowledge and listen to another person's point of view. Learning to be flexible to the ever shifting needs and quirks of a friendship will ensure resiliency and strength in the relationship.
• Smile . Your smile is infectious. It shows everyone that you are confident, happy and open to communication. You'll find more people smile back, make an effort to talk to you, and want to be near you. Smiling also conveys to people that you are easy to talk to and they will be able to easily approach you.

As I'm sure you've already noticed attracting new friends is a lot like dating. It takes common likes, a desire to be close to another person and commitment to nurturing and building the relationship. It's a slow process that will reward you with laughter, tears and a sense of support. Whether it's a friend for a short time or an entire lifetime, there is no greater feeling in life than knowing you have a loving circle there for you whenever you need.