Extreme Makeover: Relationships Edition

Photo Editing: Snapseed

I complain a lot about living at home. And don't get me wrong. It's not like it's all unwarranted. I don't usually enjoy waking up from naps by yelling and arguing. Sharing a bathroom with two teenage girls isn't a dream come true. And finding a delicate balance of privacy and respect with my parents is not always easy.

But this weekend, I was reminded of why I stick around (besides my budget...). We had a lovely picnic in our backyard with the whole family. Great food, great weather, and hilarious storytelling made it the perfect afternoon. 

These moments are becoming more precious and rare to me. I get so easily sucked into my own world and its busyness; it's hard to recognize and be thankful for the people that are right next to me. This goes for family as well as close friends. Relationships were on my list of things to be improved this year and I'm beginning to realize that it is most important.

Some goals for my relationships:

1. My relationship with Jesus should influence how I love and interact with others.
2. When I say, "We should hang out sometime!" Follow up on that. (Sorry to anyone who has been a victim of my fickleness/forgetfulness)
3. Honesty is the best policy. Working on being more bold in sharing personal experiences. I'm so totally over camouflaging my more sensitive opinions and feelings.
4. Phone calls are underrated. So simple. Why do I keep forgetting they exist?
5. Walk a mile in others' shoes. Cliché, but too true. Judging and impatience with others doesn't really cultivate close and fulfilling relationships...
6. BE GENEROUS WITH TIME SPENT WITH OTHERS. #realtalk

So yes. Extreme Makeover: Relationships Edition begins now. This will definitely take more than seven days though....