The Power of Relationships

"...people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but the will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou

Every year I have a new years resolutions, whether I declare it out loud, write it down, tell anyone about it, or even recognize it as a resolution, to 1. spend more time with my family & 2. spend more time with the people that truly matter, and I fail miserably.

As human beings I think we put more value on the things that don't truly matter because they make us... more successful, get us more money, give us a higher status at work, etc.

Relationships matter. Not only does human interaction matter, but real relationships. I'm talking about meaningful relationships. Time spent with the people that have impacted your life in profound ways. This leads me to exhibit A, Charlie. We'll call it a man crush :)

Charlie has been my man since the 5th or 6th grade, and I'm 36... you do the math. This is the guy that we had sleep overs with, went camping, had fires, barbecues, did band together, went to church together, marched drum corps together, graduated and went to college together as roommates, we were in each others weddings, and now that we are grown adults, both married, live in separate areas of the state, have our own families and jobs, and rarely talk. Sad. But it's relationships like this that truly matter. When we see each other after years of not, it's like we pick up where we left off. Almost as if that missed time was never missed at all. But that's not going to be my relationship anymore. I will be disciplined in how I care for the people that matter the most to me.

Today, since I don't work on Thursday morning, am traveling to Pittsburgh to spend even a few hours with the guy that's got my back. The one friendship that matters more than any other. I'm going to put the nonsense of life to the side for a few hours and prioritize the things that really matter to me...the people in my life.

Who matters to you?

What relationship do you need to rekindle?

Are you putting your values above the daily grind?

Photo Credit: Krystyn Houck, Flash Studios @pittsburghphotographer