Bit of a tangent, but I have a fuzzy recollection from my adolescence of someone (my great uncle?) saying, "As you get older, you'll find you have fewer -- and

Bit of a tangent, but I have a fuzzy recollection from my adolescence of someone (my great uncle?) saying, "As you get older, you'll find you have fewer -- and better -- friends." At the time I had my doubts about this being a good thing, but now that I'm in my 40's it's proven true. My network continues to expand, and I'm grateful to be connected to hundreds of people, but my inner circle of true friends is smaller, better and more precious to me than it's ever been. I think the optimal quality:quantity balance is very different across one's friendly acquaintances, professional network, and inner circle.