Relationship Categories

Guide: This is just a guide and not meant to be a definition. Each person will decide for themselves what their friendships are. However, this guide is designed to help people to avoid being naive - being naive is not a virtue. For instance, there are people in the world who will hide their true intentions - they may appear to be your friend and sympathise with you when you are down/struggling (secretly enjoying that you are down/struggling, because it gives them an ego boost). These same people might not proactively celebrate with you when you are up/winning (i.e hidden jealousy)


Stranger List

  • Definition: Brief, inconsequential interactions. People you don't engage with regularly in any meaningful way.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 10%, Quality 60%
  • Trust Level: 1
  • Compassion (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) unknown
  • Jealousy Level: unknown
  • Examples: Someone you never met, casual acquaintances at large events, someone you sat next to at a bar/cafe.

Acquaintance List

  • Definition: Regular but limited engagement. People you see regularly but have limited interaction with.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 20%, Quality 50%
  • Trust Level: 2
  • Compassion (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) unknown
  • Jealousy Level: unknown
  • Examples: Dance and chat partners at events, work colleagues, shop assistants, sports teammates, recurring casual sex partners.

Extended Family

  • Definition: Historical ties, limited trust. Relatives who you don't necessarily like but have a history and connection with. Can include family members with whom you have very minimal interaction, possibly only during major family events.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 30%, Quality 40%
  • Trust Level: 5. Reliable for some things but not for secrets or emotional safety.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) unknown
  • Jealousy Level: unknown
  • Examples: Distant cousins, aunts, uncles, great uncles/aunts, distant relatives met rarely.

Casual Friends

  • Definition: Social connections, low trust. People you enjoy spending time with but don't share deep personal matters with.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 40%, Quality 30%
  • Trust Level: 10. Low to moderate, primarily social connection.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) unknown
  • Jealousy Level: unknown
  • Examples: Social club members, casual hobby partners.

Professional Network

  • Definition: Professional interaction, limited personal trust. People you interact with primarily for professional reasons.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 50%, Quality 20%
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) unknown
  • Trust Level: 20. Trusted professionally, not necessarily personally.
  • Jealousy Level: unknown
  • Examples: Business contacts, LinkedIn connections, industry peers.

Close Professional Contacts

  • Definition: Professional relationships with a personal trust component, often mentoring or collaborative.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 60%, Quality 50%
  • Trust Level: 50. Trusted both professionally and to some degree personally.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) unknown
  • Jealousy Level: unknown
  • Examples: Long-term colleagues, business partners, professional mentors.

Mentors/Guides

  • Definition: Trusted advisors, respected for their expertise. People who provide guidance, advice, and support in personal or professional growth.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 70%, Quality 80%
  • Trust Level: 60. Trusted in their area of expertise, respect their opinions and advice.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) unknown
  • Jealousy Level: unknown
  • Examples: Career mentors, life coaches, spiritual guides.

Random Spark

  • Definition: Intuitive, immediate connection. People you meet and instantly feel a positive connection with.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 1%, Quality 90%
  • Trust Level: 70. Intuition-based trust; feels safe and positive.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) 50%
  • Jealousy Level: 0 (not a hint of jealousy about your achievements or what you have)
  • Examples: Someone you met at an event, had a spontaneous deep conversation with and shared some very intimate things with.

New Friends

  • Definition: Recently formed friendships with potential for deeper connection.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 60%, Quality 70%
  • Trust Level: 70. Emerging trust, early stages of mutual vulnerability.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) 50%
  • Jealousy Level: 0 (not a hint of jealousy about your achievements or what you have)
  • Examples: Recently met colleagues, new neighbors, new hobby partners.

Spiritual Friends

  • Definition: Individuals who share a deep connection with you through spiritual or religious beliefs and practices. These friends support your spiritual journey, offering guidance, wisdom, and a sense of shared purpose. They may not be involved in every aspect of your life, but their influence is profound in matters of the soul and personal growth.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 50%, Quality 85%
  • Trust Level: 75. Trusted deeply in spiritual matters, valued for their insight, and respected for their spiritual perspective.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) 80%
  • Jealousy Level: 0 (not a hint of jealousy about your achievements or what you have)
  • Examples: A friend with whom you meditate or pray, a spiritual guide or companion, someone who shares your beliefs and helps you explore deeper aspects of life.

Friends

  • Definition: Mutual vulnerability, some trust. People with whom you share mutual vulnerability and trust in some areas. You both share who your current intimate partner is or who your past intimate partner was.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 70%, Quality 80%
  • Trust Level: 80. Trusted with some personal matters, care about their well-being and relationships.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) 80%
  • Jealousy Level: 0 (not a hint of jealousy about your achievements or what you have)
  • Examples: Close colleagues, regular friends, possibly ex-partners.

Noble Friends

  • Definition: Individuals who embody a sense of honor, integrity, and altruism in your relationship. They may not always be the closest in proximity or daily interaction, but their actions and intentions are consistently marked by selflessness and a higher moral standard. They offer support, wisdom, and guidance, often selflessly putting your needs before their own without expecting anything in return.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 3%, Quality 90%
  • Trust Level: 85. Trusted deeply for their consistent noble character, though not necessarily involved in every aspect of your life.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) 90%
  • Jealousy Level: 0 (not a hint of jealousy about your achievements or what you have)
  • Examples: A friend who always offers help in times of need, a mentor who goes above and beyond to support your growth, someone who consistently acts with kindness and integrity.

Past Intimate Friends

  • Definition: People who knew you intimately in the past but with whom you have little current interaction.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 80%, Quality 90%
  • Trust Level: 90. Trusted with most personal matters, cared deeply about their needs and relationships.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) 100%
  • Jealousy Level: 0 (not a hint of jealousy about your achievements or what you have)
  • Examples: Ex-intimate partners, intimate friends who have moved away, close friends from childhood.

Intimate Friends

  • Definition: Deep mutual trust and care. People with significant mutual trust and shared life experiences, with whom you are still in contact.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 90%, Quality 90%
  • Trust Level: 90. Trusted with most personal matters, care deeply about their needs and relationships.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) 100%
  • Jealousy Level: 0 (not a hint of jealousy about your achievements or what you have)
  • Examples: Best friends, confidants, close friends from childhood who you still have contact with.

Closest Intimate Partner

  • Definition: Complete trust, shared life. The person with whom you share the deepest trust and intimacy.
  • Contribution/Participation: Quantity 100%, Quality 100%
  • Trust Level: 100. Complete vulnerability, shared life goals, and mutual dependence.
  • Compassion: (empathy PLUS action to address the empathy. eg. proactively celebrate your wins) 100%
  • Jealousy Level: 0 (not a hint of jealousy about your achievements or what you have)
  • Lift/lean Level:Lift you up more than they lean on you
  • Examples: Spouse, life partner, significant other.