Sometimes in life we're so busy that we don't take time to think about our relationships. No matter how busy you are, it's not a good idea to neglect relationships since it's essential to nurture a team of good friends and loved ones since we need one another in life.
How do we nurture those relationships? What can we do?
Imperfection
A friend said to me recently, "If I expected all of my friends to be perfect, I wouldn't have any friends." That's true. Our friends and friendships will not be perfect since none of us are perfect, but our relationships can be very good if we leave room that imperfection.
Focus on common ground
I have a friend who is completely disinterested in one of my areas of passion, yet that friend and I share other common areas of interest. I have to remember to mostly focus on our common ground when we speak, and leave out that area of my life she's disinterested in. I like my friend too much to lose her over one interest area we don't share. So, instead, I'll focus on our common ground.
Listen, Hear, and Respond Accordingly
Remind yourself to truly list to your friends and loved ones--make that time. Then respond with care.
Create, Plan, and Make Together
In my opinion, the best ways to strengthen and celebrate relationships is to create, plan, make, act together--when we come together in meaningful pursuit, our ties strengthen.
Good relationships are critical to good living--we need to nurture those relationships.