Maintaining Relationships

A couple times a year a friend and clients hosts a 30 day event designed to hold people accountable and increase their production and activity levels. Another hosts a monthly event, another offers something else. All may seem important and there’s a part of me that would like to support each and every person within my life, but there’s not enough time in the day.

The other day I called to check in with Howard. He’s like an older brother to me and I cherish his counsel. He was a bit under the weather and I spoke with his wife. We both were in similar places with so many friends we both found it challenging to maintain the relationships we’d developed.

I feel as if it’s just as important to develop new relationships as it is to maintain my existing relationships. Whatever form of maintenance that requires is typically fine. Some only require periodic phone calls or text messages, some via social media, and others require face to face meetings.

What I’ve learned is the older I become, the more important my longer relationships mean. It’s vital to have those relationships that span decades. People I’ve known for more than half of my life. Friends close enough and caring enough to tell me the truth. Those willing to say what needs to be said, when it needs saying. So those relationships may pose some inconvenience. I might not sleep my normal amounts or I may need to make that longer phone call, but it’s worth it. Those relationships are near and dear to me and no monetary amount would offer adequate compensation.

Today, Thursday, August 11, 2022, I am grateful that: