trying to get much more organized and disciplined with use of time. We live i/2 mile from a Trappist monastery .

Relationships give meaning to our lives. In interviews with those who are dying, the most common regrets people often share are tied to relationships, and the lack of connection to self and others that has been maintained. Life is busy, and from time to time we need to check in and ask ourselves “How are my relationships?” Right now, ask yourself honestly, how are your relationships? At the end of your life, you will never regret having asked, and acted, on this question. THIS WEEK: Are you happy with the state of your key relationships? Have you broken promises to yourself, or deprioritized these relationships? Where might you need to pull back so you can reinvest in these areas?

One of the most important relationships in our life is the relationship we have to ourselves. If we step back and pay attention to the voice in our head, we are often far more critical, mean-spirited, and harsh to ourselves than we would ever be to another. If you struggle with being kind and loving to others, recognize that this is most likely due to the fact that you struggle to be kind and loving to yourself. If you don’t allow love to come in, you won’t be able to let love come out. THIS WEEK: Forgive yourself. Start new. Whatever it is, whatever you’ve done, forgive yourself. Right now. Renew your marriage vows to yourself and begin again.

It’s not uncommon to feel guilt about our relationships. With all the different responsibilities and burdens we feel, we often can feel like we’re just not doing enough. It’s important to remember that when it comes to relationships, what matters even more than quantity is quality. An hour of total undivided attention can do more to help a relationship flourish than a full day of distracted attention. Oftentimes you can improve key relationships in your life without actually doing anything more than you’re doing, just being more present in those doings. THIS WEEK: Spend some time in a key relationship being fully present. Put away your phone/mental distractions and just be fully engaged with the person. Pay attention to how this feels for you, and how you imagine it feels for them.