On your journey through life
We are looking at life as a journey, and along the way for periods you will have companions, so who will they be and how will they help or hinder you in your search for total happiness.
Friends.
Real friends in which you can trust, who will tell you truthfully what they think and most importantly unconditionally support you whatever decision or error you make are the optimum companions. But will or can they always be with you and how many do you need. Its ideal if you can have at least two, so that the loss of one does not leave you without the friend you need when you most need them.
Men or women
Many women who have successful and happy marriages say that their husband is their best friend, if so they can count as one friend. If however you argue a lot, they try to influence the decisions you want to make or to control or restrict you, and are unwilling to unconditionally support anything you want to do, then I would say you should not count them amongst the primary 2 you essentially need. Some women count their children amongst their friends, but this is unfair on them, as a loss you may suffer will also be felt by them, and most decisions you may make have an impact on them so you cannot expect them to be unconditionally supportive and never consider their own needs. The most ideal friends are non competitive female friends. Ones who don't try to outdo you, think of themselves as better than you, or try to act as a surrogate mother and organize your life for you. Members of a support organization that support each other can be of any sex, and are ideal.
