Let's assume you've been friends with Katie since kindergarten. Even as innocuous six year olds, you knew you'd be each other's maid of honor. While time often makes many friendships grow weaker, the two of you remained almost inseparable through college. Then, gradually, you begin to have sporadic arguments with each other, sometimes over the silliest things. As relationships and shifting responsibilities chart different paths for you both in your adult life, you start to grow apart. Once touting yourself as sisters from a different mother, you're now mere acquaintances who may connect via text on special or solemn occasions, like birthdays or the death of a loved one. Is the scenario described above all that atypical? Sadly, the answer is no. You've likely experienced it at some point with a friend you have held in high esteem for many years. While many friendships can bounce back, they may never go back to the way they once were. But that ...

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to ease the pain of loneliness, I have news for you: Being in the wrong company can be far worse, as such feelings are only magnified.  Ask yourself this: Do you really think you'd feel lonelier by yourself, or in a group of people you hardly know and may have little in common with? As shocking as it may be to some, it's perfectly normal to enjoy your own company. You don't need other people to enjoy such hobbies as reading, writing, listening to music, and exercising. Besides, sometimes you need alone time to contemplate and catch a breath of fresh air after a tough day. In essence, being alone and being lonely aren't one and the same. The former can actually be a plus -- something one seeks for their general well-being. The latter, on the other hand, is a negative condition one generally tries to extricate themselves from. Having others around can be a boon if you know and trust them. In the absence of such rap...