Five Kinds of Friends Everyone Should Have

We all know we need friends, and we all know the basics. Our friends should be loyal, supportive, loving and kind-and we should give that loyalty, support, love and kindness back in return. But it's not just how many friends you have-it's the kind of friends you keep that will make or break your happiness in life. Here's a list of the top five kinds of friends we should cultivate.

The Listener. Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on sometimes, and some of our friends are better at listening than others. Sure, your beer buddy might be a great listener when it comes to your endless droning about baseball stats, but will he fidget impatiently if you need to talk about your family troubles? Not every friend is cut out to sit quietly and let you vent your spleen without getting judgmental or offering too much advice, but if you find a friend that can do that for you, hold onto them for dear life.

The Geek. Face it. We live in the Information Age, and if you don't have a Geek for a friend, you're going to get left behind. This type of friend isn't just useful for helping you when your laptop goes on the fritz-the Geek often has a unique perspective on the world around you, and can open up new guilty pleasures that you've never thought of before. The Geek is someone who will allow you to gush about your enthusiasms, while being entirely un-self-conscious about their own. Best of all, Geek Loyalty is a bond that's hard to break. Even your love life could use a little tech support from time to time, so cultivate a friendship with someone who knows more than you do!

The Twin. Have you ever met someone who seems to share every single interest that you have? The moment you connect with this kind of friend, all kinds of sparks fly. You can bond over your obscure love of ancient cookery or re-runs of Buck Rogers. Maybe you're both night owls, maybe you're both addicted to Cold Stone's cake batter ice cream. Whatever your passion, this kind of friend will share it. In short, the twin is a kind of friend that's just like you. Cherish your bond with this kind of friend, and if you don't have one already, find one as soon as you can!

The Opposite. We all try to cultivate friends who are just like us because it helps us feel validated, and having our enjoyment reflected back at us is a great feeling. But for every friend you have that's a twin, you should also look for an opposite. Life perspective is limiting when your friends are all the same. When you find the kind of friend who has a personality just the opposite of your own, they can teach you to have a new perspective. This kind of friend is not only horizon broadening, but can often earn your respect in ways no one else can. For a well-rounded life, seek out an opposite for friendship and your point of view will be enriched.

The Motivator. Sometimes we wish our friends would just accept us for exactly who we are, but sometimes it's better to have the kind of friends who motivate us to change and love us even if we don't. You know the type. She's the friend who will get your butt up in the morning to go running. He's the kind of friend who prompts you to write a list of everything you want to accomplish in life, and dares you every so often to do it. Motivators are great friends to have, and they should be tolerated even when their frenetic pace gets on your nerves.