Week #17: 5 Ways to Build Deeper Friendships
April 22, 2007
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Sunday, April 22, 2 - 4 pm
Potomac Adventist Bookstore - Silver Spring, MD
Chat, Q&A and Booksigning This Tuesday's event in Kansas City, MO is now sold out! Lufkin, Texas - near capacity
Wednesday, April 25th
American Heart Association Luncheon
Pitser Garrison Civic Center Schenectady, NY (Albany area)
Friday, May 11th
Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God
www.caltabag.com Charlotte, NC
Monday, May 21st at 7:00 pm
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604 Doug Mayes Place
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This Week's Topic: 5 Ways to Build Deeper Friendships
Dear Friend, Over the last few weeks, I've
encountered people who have asked me how they can go about developing
better friendships - with people who share their values and respect
their unique differences. I can relate to that sort of question because
there was a time in my life, not long after I moved to Dallas in the
1990s, when I wanted a few close friendships with people who lived in
my community. One day it dawned on me to set an intention to develop
deeper connections - and to pray that the right friendships would cross
my path. Amazingly, in a very short period of time, friendships
developed with acquaintances and the deeper connections began to be
made. Good relationships are a gift from God that bring an
element of richness to our lives that make even the most mundane days
enjoyable. When you look back over your life, it isn't the
accomplishments that have the most significance, but the people we
impact and who impact us along our journey. This week, I invite
you to notice and nurture the friendships that enrich your life. And if
you feel you don't have enough of such relationships in your life,
perhaps now is the time to begin building them! I'd like to share a few
simple ways to nurture your relationships to enrich your life: 1. PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE TO INCLUDE TIME FOR FRIENDS.
In
the hectic pace of your life, refuse to allow an overloaded schedule to
crowd out space for connecting with the people who truly matter to you.
If there is little room for your personal life, it is time to
re-prioritize. Time for connecting with friends is essential to your
well-being and quality of life. Whether it is a regularly scheduled
lunch date, a handwritten "just thinking about you" note, or a regular
phone call, be deliberate about connecting consistently. 2. PRAY FOR THE RIGHT FRIENDS.
At
different stages of your life, what you need in a friend may change.
Sometimes we outgrow friendships or move to a new place and long for
the companionship of old friends. Pray that the right people will cross
your path. Be willing to reach out. It was 1997 that I remember feeling
that I was missing out on the richness that a personal community of
close friends provides. I wanted a few like-minded women friends. I'd
been in Dallas just two and a half years and had just made the
entrepreneurial leap. My life abounded with business colleagues and
acquaintances, but I prayed for personal friendships that were not
centered around work. One by one, inspiring, spiritually-grounded, fun
women began showing up in my life! I believe it was the power of prayer
that brought those friendships into my path. 3. BE THERE IN THE CRITICAL MOMENTS.
As
you have probably noticed in your life, your true friends often emerge
during the tough times. There are friends who will always hold a
special place in my heart because of the love and support they gave me
and my family during a devastating health crisis. They called, they
prayed, they cooked meals, and came to the hospital. When a friend goes
through a critical moment in life, be there. You don't have to have the
perfect words - just your presence and your love will mean so much. 4. TELL YOUR FRIENDS YOU APPRECIATE THEM.
It
can be easy to appreciate a friendship, yet not tell your friend how
much you appreciate it. Don't take a true friend for granted. Let your
true friends know they are special to you. 5. APPRECIATE THEM!
It
is easy to identify what you want from the people in your life. But
also find out what the people in your life want from you. We often give
people what we would want, but what we want may not be as important to
the other person. Don't waste your energy. Ask. Then listen, and
respond based on what they tell you. My challenge to you this week:
Do something that will nurture your existing friendships. Journaling assignment:
What do you most want from your friendships? What would bring that to life?
Until next time ... Warm wishes,
 P.S. Encourage your friends and family by sharing this newsletter and invite others to subscribe! Just send them to
www.valorieburton.com, where they can enter their email address on the home page. Valorie
Burton, a life coach and speaker, is the author of Listen to Your Life,
Rich Minds, Rich Rewards and her latest, What's Really Holding You
Back?. She coaches groups and individuals to live their best lives.
Learn about her coaching groups and subscribe to her FREE,
inspirational e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com.
Looking for a Unique Gift?
Give the Gift of Coaching
Gift Certificates are the newest feature in our online store!
With
Mother's Day, graduations and other events in the lives of the people
you care about, we now have coaching gift certificates available for
purchase in our online store. The gift certificates come wrapped in a
lovely box along with a professional introductory package of
information for the recipient. For more information and to purchase a coaching gift certificate, go to www.valorieburton.com/catalog.php?item=31&catid=Coaching.
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