The Power of Association
Friendships and relationships.
Friendships and relationships form the fundamental basis of human interactions.
Like a beaded bracelet, they are the thread that holds all the beads in position. The beauty of the bracelet lies in the excellent color combination of the beads which would not have been possible were it not for the thread joining them.
This analogy of a beaded bracelet is what associations are to our lives. Ignore them at your peril. Without their success, your life will be one hell of a mess you wish you could quickly get out of. 
Friendships go a long way in ensuring our smooth lives. A mere genuine friendship means well for each other. It can later graduate into a relationship. This goes beyond what was just normal friendship.
Relationships are more personal. They are beyond simple friendships. It could take the form of a working relationship, a romantic relationship, or a social relationship. Whatever form it assumes, it bears the best interest of either party.
The associations you forge are so powerful beyond what you may think. There are many reasons why you may enter into friendships and relationships.
Here are some of them:
It is the social nature of human beings.
Whoever said that human beings are social beings did strike the right chord. It is the most sensible and truest saying this century.
No man is an island. We are dependent on each other in one way or the next. This interdependence is the blessing that the universe has bestowed on us.
We find pleasure in talking to the next person about this or that. Eventually, we finally became best friends with strangers. Goodness! Who has ever known the secrets of the universe?
You are not weird if you find yourself overly social. Consider yourself blessed with an abundance of nature’s gifts.
To build a social network.
Our social nature drives us to build social empires of people we know. The network of people you associate with is also a form of wealth that is mostly overlooked. 
While there are limitations on the extent of aid we may receive, the power of your network knows no boundary. The advent of social media does not come as a surprise.
Even the elderly of this generation need social media. At one point in their senior years, they may need WhatsApp to video call their grandchildren living far away. They will need assistance doing this but still, they are building their social network with family.
You can build your social network and meet strangers online who could be potential clients, workmates, or bosses.
Meeting in workplaces and social joints.
You may start a friendship with someone because you met them at work. You need to establish a good working relationship with them for work to run smoothly. Without it, conflicts may abound and the objectives of the work will not be met.
These friendships of convenience finally transform into the best thing we have ever had. We partake in the lives of our workmates because their performance at work affects the output. This could become the genesis of a lot of things.
The need to confide in someone.
Vulnerability is the last thing any of us can acknowledge. However, throughout our lives, the baggage that comes along with survival can get heavy and we may need someone to confide in.
It is almost like an automatic reaction for you to be vulnerable to your best friend, sometimes your partner. For this reason, people get into relationships and friendships more so because they feel safer in them.
Besides these reasons for associating with others, you should not forget the power they wield over your life. This makes it more important when choosing friends and partners.
Here are some of the powers of association:
- Adoption of new habits.
It is undisputed that your associates can initiate you into new habits – both good and bad. What was foreign to you could turn out to be the best thing you have ever done, thanks to your friends.
Their influence on you to do what they do is greater. For the fear of missing out, you will eventually yield to their pressure.
Come to think of it, not everything is bad. They can help you discover new things you never knew existed.
The beauty of friendships is in self-discovery and the beginning of an adventurous future.
- You will be introduced to new places.
We slack in visiting new places alone because of the fear of being lonely. Nobody wants to be lonely. Instead, we all would like great company wherever we go.
In the right company, you can explore new places. Time spent bonding is invaluable and we would do anything to replay such beautiful moments. 
Yes, you can enjoy your company. But it is even better when you know new places courtesy of your associates.
- Associations connect you with destiny connectors.
We meet many people through our friends. Some of them are the ones destiny has put in our way to connect us to our future. Have you ever wondered what would have become of you if you did not meet certain people?
You probably first met these people through your friends. You owe them a debt of gratitude for unknowingly enabling you to meet your current employer or clients. This is the best part of networking.
- Creating heart-to-heart connections.
You can bond so much with your associates to the extent it seems you share a single life. Their concerns automatically become yours and your troubles as well become theirs.
This power of association will make you stronger to face whatever comes your way because you know that you are not alone in it. Someone will give you a pat on your shoulder and this will keep you moving.
Associates are responsible for the building or ruining of your dreams. When you meet the right people, they will help you climb the ladder of life to the highest levels. Their support is invaluable.
In conclusion, the power of association is undeniable. Do not think twice to forge associations with the right people and cut off those with people that mislead you.
