Five Actions To Promote More Enjoyable Relationships With Family and Friends

Everyone wants attention and love; here’s how to grease the wheels

I must be willing to change since change is not optional in life because change is Time’s twin. Time and change go hand in hand together during each of the moments we live.

So, here’s what I know. I must keep learning to be the best person I can be today. This is why these five actions though simple, keep my focus. I understand we know the steps we should take to improve our relationships. The truth is, and I’m included, we do not act the way we should sometimes with others.

So here we go. Which of the five capture your interest most?

Love people more than things.

“Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, & character.” -WA Ward.

I have found few have an interest in what you own — the car you drive, the house, not even in the position of leadership you have. It is not that none of those things matter. They have value, of course. But people are more interested in who you are to them. So as Oscar Wilde says, “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

2. Let others speak their thoughts without interruption.

“It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.” -Mark Twain.

I’ve lost the wisdom people offered to me when I interjected my thoughts. Yes, I’m guilty of interrupting others in mid-sentence. More than that, I lost their respect. Ouch!

3. Leave the world spin on its axis instead of yours.

“The biggest obstacle that stalls leaders’ growth is the human ego. When leaders start to think they know it all, they stop growing.” -Ken Blanchard.

Putting all our attention on a new-born baby builds the baby’s self-worth, which is a good thing. But when our lives demand all the attention of others, we have let our ego become the driving force. We all have egos to preserve but don’t allow your ego to hinder your relationship with others.

4. Live each moment to the fullest and let the past in the past.

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.” -Bil Keane.

I admit it is difficult to ‘be in the moment’ since distractions are always present. This is a reckoning we must teach ourselves to avoid. Ruminating on thoughts of our past. While dreams of the future tantalize our quest for success. Both rob us of our present joys. The reality is we live in the present moment.

5. Laugh more and agonize less.

“Kiss slowly, laugh insanely, live truly and forgive quickly.” -Paulo Coelho.

This is my thought I always keep it mind, which is;

‘A little levity is good for the soul.’

King Solomon wrote, ‘A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.’ (Proverbs 17:22 NKJV)

So if you’re feeling dry, worn out, and discouraged today, lighten up. Go ahead and laugh. Spontaneous joy will break the shackles of doom and gloom holding you in its grip.

There is so much negativity in the world today. This is why I continue to work at being an intentional optimist. This means I do not disregard the negative, but I emphasize the positive in my life. The ability to laugh adds to the power to stay positive.

These five actions though simple, let’s keep each in our focus. So consider my five as reminders of how you can enjoy a better life. Check out my Four Life-giving steps to live a life well-lived.

Which of the five motivates you to change?

What will you put into practice today?

It’s your choice. Chose well, my friend.

Richard