Life’s Little Instructions :: Building Relationships

This edition of Life’s Little Instructions, based on the calendar from H. Jackson Brown, Jr., will focus on building personal relationships.

We all enjoy spending time with friends and family - most of the time anyways - and the following tips will help you create a stronger bond between you and your loved ones.

When you believe in someone, tell them.

This tip is of particular importance for all of the parents, as telling your child that you believe in them can be one of the most rewarding things that you can provide to your child. So many of the things that our children do are intended to gain our approval - or test the existence of that approval - and hear the words of encouragement from one of their role models.

Take every opportunity to express to your children that you believe in them. It will go a long way towards creating a confidence in them that nobody will be able to take away.

Today, compliment someone you’re not particularly fond of.

There is a good chance that you interact with someone on a regular basis that you don’t mesh with all that well. Sometimes that tension between two people is simply the perception that neither party is particularly fond of the other. By stepping out and extending a compliment to such a person, you may open the line of communication and discover a new relationship worth building. Of course, it is possible that the compliment will not change anything between you but that doesn’t mean you should not try.

When you particularly enjoy a book, buy an extra copy to send to a friend.

More and more it seems like reading is a lost art. People have less free time to sit down and enjoy a book, or maybe they just have yet to find a book worth reading. When you share an enjoyable book with a friend, not only will you be encouraging people to read more but you will be sharing a little insight into your personality and interests.

Some of the best books that I have read have come as a recommendation from a friend or family member, where I likely would not have read the book otherwise.

Remember that who you’re with is always more important than where you are.

Being a motorcycle rider, this reminds me of the quote that it is not the destination but the journey that is important - as it is the time spent with people that are close to you that helps create the unforgettable memories. A good situation to remember this tip is on your next vacation, rather than be disappointed if everything is not perfect you should take the time to embrace the opportunity to be with the people you care about.

No matter where you are or what is happening, being with people that you love is priceless.