CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- With everything going on in our daily lives, the area of relationships is often the one that suffers.

Not only are our current relationships strained, but there are also those that resurface through reunions, e-mail and social networking tools like Facebook. There seems to be a great divide between folks who thrive on reconnecting with old friends on Facebook -- and those who say they weren't that close to these friends in high school and can't see how they'd have anything in common with them now.

Personally, I think it's a need to fill that great void of "community" that's lacking in many of our lives. Sometimes we're living virtual lives -- with those across vast distances -- rather than interacting with neighbors over the backyard fence.

Which is not to say one is more highly valued than the other. It's just different, and it plays out differently among generations.

I recently heard an excellent talk by Susan Brewer, CEO of the Steptoe & Johnson law firm, to the Elevations luncheon group of the Charleston Alliance. While the talk was geared toward women, I believe both sexes could relate to and benefit from her wisdom.

Brewer began by defining success, although the bulk of her talk had to do with the relationships we form along the way. Just take a look at her definition of success: "growing and gaining wisdom as a person while maintaining a sense of humor, sanity and stability -- and being satisfied and happy with your accomplishments without comparing yourself to anyone else."

Success doesn't come without lots of help and support from others, though. You definitely need relationships to achieve your goals and to maintain your sense of humor, sanity and stability. Listed here are the five important relationships you need, according to Brewer.

The professor: Your classic mentor and champion, someone more experienced and ahead of you in your profession or life field. Someone who knows the ropes and wants you to succeed. This person may change from time to time if you move around in your career, although mentors are always out there.

Your superhero: Your inspirational figure, someone you look up to, someone who makes you believe the world is a better place than it really is. This person keeps the bar raised for you -- your Mother Teresa, Margaret Thatcher, Sandra Day O'Connor or maybe someone not so famous. This person may also change as you grow up, although you always need an inspirational hero.

Your study pal: Your contemporary, someone you've learned your profession with or simply someone with whom you've learned about work or life. This person always has your back, wants you to succeed and is personally proud when you do so. This is the person with whom you share life lessons and commiserate over cocktails. This person is with you forever, even though you may lose touch from time to time.

Your roadie: Your greatest fan. The one you turn to when you're down. This is most often a spouse, although it can also be another family member, coach or neighbor -- someone who makes you feel protected. When you're weak, your roadie is strong. When you're frustrated, your roadie thinks clearly.

Your "Ya Ya": Your best friend. This is the person with whom you share secrets and the person who will always listen to you. This is also the person who will tell you to shape up or shut up (or if your butt looks too big in that outfit). Good examples of Ya Yas are Lucy and Ethel, Mary and Rhoda, Monica and Rachel, Thelma and Louise, and Will and Grace. Remember that "a friend will help you move, but a best friend will help you move a body." If you're really lucky in your life, you may have several Ya Yas.

It may take awhile to find these people in your life, according to Brewer. Be patient -- some will find you along the way. Some of your relationships may not be exactly as described here -- and there may very well be lots of crossover. You'll see them in a similar form, though. These are the support relationships you'll need for personal and professional success.

And while it's important that you find these five relationships, it's just as important that you be one of these people to someone important in your life.

Linda Arnold, MBA, is a certified wellness instructor and Chairwoman/CEO of The Arnold Agency, a marketing communications firm specializing in advertising, public relations, government relations and interactive marketing. Reader comments may be directed to Linda Arnold, The Arnold Agency, 117 Summers St., Charleston, WV 25301, or e-mailed to livelifefu...@arnoldagency.com.