Buddha Shakyamuni once said: No matter who you meet, he is someone who should appear in your life. It is not a coincidence; he will definitely teach you something. In life, all your encounters are arranged by fate. Their presence will affect your destiny. The type of people you befriend in life will also directly influence your fate. Therefore, to have a "new page" in the new year, you should befriend those who have the following characteristics:
1. Being with outstanding people will help you go further
In the poem "Beautiful Woman" by Du Fu, there is a line: "The stream is still in the mountains/When it flows out of the mountains, the stream looks murky." The environment affects the quality of water. A good environment will make the water clean and clear. Similarly, with people, a good environment can help you grow, even change your life. For the future of Mencius, his mother resolutely moved house three times. The first time, they lived near a cemetery, and Mencius often played burial games with his peers. The second time, the two left the house near the market because Mencius learned the tricks of deception from merchants there. By the third time, they moved to a house near a school. At that time, young Mencius knew how to befriend outstanding scholars. Knowing this was the right path, Mencius's mother lived there for a long time. Being close to talented people, over time he learned good things and eventually became a great thinker and educator. It can be seen that being in a good environment will help you meet outstanding people. In a negative environment, you are easily corrupted. Therefore, the ancients said: "Near ink, one turns black; near light, one becomes bright." A person's future is greatly influenced by the people and environment he interacts with. If you live in a good environment with outstanding individuals, you will naturally be motivated to develop.
2. Befriending those who understand you makes life easier
The most difficult thing between people is understanding. Many people often say that the greatest thing in this world is to find someone who truly understands you and shares your joys and sorrows. The person who understands you will feel your hardships and resilience behind a success. That person may not be by your side all the time, but in their heart, they always think of you. They may not say it, but they always watch over and protect you. A lover may not necessarily understand you, but someone who understands you will surely care for you sincerely. Therefore, our circle of friends should not be about quantity but rather the quality that matters.
3. Working with trustworthy people doubles productivity
Buffett once said: "Reliability is a more important quality than intelligence." Reliability can reflect a person's character and is the best quality of a person. In life, we encounter all kinds of people. To be recognized by others, the word "trust" is essential. Therefore, reliability is very important. It can determine a person's standard of living later on. A master carpenter always carries a tape measure with him. He can glance at everything and accurately judge the size. With that ability, many people wonder why he still carries the tape measure. He asserts that no matter how accurate the eye can be, it cannot compare to using a tape measure. No matter how experienced one is, there are times when one can be wrong. Being accurate 99 times and wrong once means being wrong overall. Reliability is a form of prestige and a sense of responsibility. A trustworthy person will make others feel comfortable, especially providing a sense of trust. This is a prerequisite for others to entrust important tasks to you. Whether in business or life, working with trustworthy people will yield double results. If you are befriending trustworthy people in your life, you need to cherish them.
Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing once said: "In work, you must find trustworthy people; intelligent people can only talk."
When mentioning the lesson of trust, one cannot forget the famous Asian billionaire Li Ka-shing. His trust is not only significant in his career but also weighs heavily in life, even in the most dangerous moments. In 1996, the Hong Kong billionaire faced a major crisis when his son, Li Zhaojun, was kidnapped by a group of criminals demanding ransom. They instructed him not to report to the police, or they would immediately harm the hostage, and Li Ka-shing agreed. As soon as the kidnappers arrived, they searched everywhere, suspecting that the police were hiding nearby. But Li Ka-shing simply said: "My entire business life has not achieved anything great, except for the trust in every word I say." He then let the kidnappers search around the house, opening all the rooms to verify that there were no police nearby. At that time, the kidnappers demanded 2 billion Hong Kong dollars as ransom. Li Ka-shing could only hastily prepare half of that amount from the bank and promised to deliver the remaining half to them in two days. Initially, the kidnappers were skeptical, but the truth later proved that, even though his son returned, the Hong Kong billionaire kept his promise and transferred the remaining 1 billion dollars to them. When asked why he acted that way, Li Ka-shing affirmed: "Trust is the second life; once lost, no amount of money or effort can regain it. Therefore, whatever I agree to, I will definitely fulfill it to the end." That is the strength that helped this man build his entire fortune and career from scratch. It represents a part of morality, a part of character that is indispensable for every person.
A trustworthy person is responsible in everything they do, practical in their actions, and will always provide feedback. Living a lifetime, being able to befriend trustworthy people is a great blessing. On the road of life, having a trustworthy companion is truly precious. Here are three characteristics that trustworthy people all possess. Observe carefully those you intend to entrust your trust to; if they possess these characteristics, you can rest assured that you have found the right person.
Trustworthy people are always cautious and humble: With a little careful observation, we can easily find that a truly trustworthy person must be humble. From their demeanor, we cannot find any signs of arrogance or boastfulness, nor do they ever speak grandiosely or brag about themselves. They often know how to downplay themselves, are genuinely humble, do not exaggerate their achievements, do not underestimate the efforts of others, and seriously and steadily build their careers step by step. People in this group are always calm, composed, rarely hasty, relying on their abilities and efforts to rise, which is why they are trusted by others. On the other hand, those who like to show off and boast about themselves may seem impressive at first, but after some time, you will realize they are just "paper tigers," better at talking than doing. Such people often leave an unreliable impression on others, and gradually people will avoid them, ultimately facing negative impacts in both their careers and lives.
Trustworthy people are responsible: Trustworthy people do not shy away from difficulties but dare to face them, taking responsibility. When encountering problems, they reflect on themselves and proactively admit their responsibilities. Trustworthy people will lend a helping hand when they see others in difficulty in life, will proactively inquire and share when they see others struggling at work, and will immediately support you when you encounter trouble. Trustworthy people will always make others feel at ease and trust them from beginning to end, bringing warmth and even strength to others. Responsibility is the most noble medal of a person's character. Being responsible is a form of courage, a form of determination. A truly trustworthy person must be someone who lives with responsibility. A responsible person is like a mountain; no matter what, they will make others feel they can lean on them.
Trustworthy people have good character: Character is like gold; the higher the purity, the higher the quality. In a lifetime, one must take character as the foundation. Morality can compensate for a lack of intelligence, but intelligence can never fill the gap of morality. There are two sources of the most attractive power in a person: the power of character and the power of thought. Virtue is the essence of a person, while honor is the external appearance of a person. In being human, one must prioritize virtue, treat others with sincerity, and work diligently. The true capital of a person is not their appearance or wealth but their character. Character is the passport of life. In today's society, character can serve as a basis for mutual trust among parties. And a person with good character will certainly value sincerity and trustworthiness.