Choosing the right friends affects how your future is shaped. Not everyone agrees that their friends can have an influence on them, but in reality, friends are one of the biggest impacts on a person's life. Individuals often consider themselves independent, but in reality they are dependent on their friends. They can influence a person's lifestyle by making them more positive, teaching them how to be a true friend, and showing a reflection of themselves. The right friends can improve a person's life. These relationships can also have emotional effects; they are “…part of this relationship that is so critical to your emotional well-being.” (Klam 218). People make friends to get help on the roller coaster of emotions called life. Friends are people you can trust. They are there to provide encouragement and to be your own support system. The main benefit of friendship is having people to vent to, for better or for worse. This creates trust between two individuals. When this trust is deeply rooted in a relationship, friends can support each other when you're feeling down. They can also show a person's strengths when feeling weak. This is the beauty of life; everything could be going well but then suddenly life decides to completely change direction. These rapid changes on the surface can bring people down. With friends, however, these collapses are not so serious, because someone is at your side to catch anyone who stumbles along the way. Making the trip is only half the work; the other half is how and with whom it is spent. “You come into the world alone and you die alone, but there's a really long stretch in between that can be extraordinarily meaningful and even fun with the right people. And when it's not fun, they'll be with you... middle of paper... Friends who try to control others should not be allowed into your inner circle. They are not the kind of people who should influence others, but they can if people let them. A good friend can have many of these qualities, but if they have no influence on a person, then he is not a good friend. Choosing the right friends impacts how you shape your future. Good friends will bring out the best in each other, encourage each other in difficult times, and help each other make good choices. A good friend can have many of these qualities, but if they have no influence on a person, then he is not a good friend. The best kind of friend can and will influence someone positively, no matter what. One should treasure a true friendship and choosing the right friends will bring great benefits in the present and future.