I went around to each of my neighbors who border my land or live near and invited them all over for an impromptu dinner to get to know each other. I made a few different soups earlier in the afternoon and some biscuits, so when the neighbors arrived, I only had to pour a glass of wine and visit. Everyone fell into easy conversation and phone numbers were exchanged.

You know, we can’t really have 362 friends. We have begun to rely on social media to be our social director. When really, all those folks that we reconnected with probably don’t really care about what is going on. Meanwhile, we follow and like everything the people we really do care about post but we don’t really know what is going on because we all have forgotten how to use a telephone or make real live dates! It has become a lazy and half-hearted way to be friends. I have fallen into it myself. I did not know that my friend had a heart attack until six weeks later when it showed up on facebook. And all the while, many of us feel quite lonesome as we click on screens and watch television. And I know many young men who don’t even date because they are too busy playing video games.

In order to live our best life, we need people. We need relationships. Real ones. Who means the most to you? Who do you really love and care for? Do they also love and care for you? These are the people we must make time for. You remember that country song, “You Find Out Who Your Friends Are?” by Tracy Lawrence? That kind of sums it up.

We all have limited time in our lives and we simply cannot have a million relationships, but we can have a select few friends and family that we really focus our energy on. It is wonderful if we can have relationships with all of our children and our own parents, but sometimes that isn’t possible. Focus on who cares about you as much as you care about them and who add positivity and love to your life and make time for them.

Write down the phone numbers of those dear to you. With cell phones these days, I do not even know my children’s phone numbers but I remember my grandparents’ number from when I was little! Try to make a phone call every day or at least once a week.

Write a quick letter or send a card to someone out of state to let them know what is going on and ask how they are. Mail is still a joy to receive. Not an email, use actual paper and stamps!

Turn off the television. An hour that you would normally watch a useless show can be used to go for a walk with your loved one. It can be used to catch up on the phone with your son. It can be used to read a great book or play with the dog or talk to the neighbors. Instead of endlessly scrolling on your cell phone, start a conversation with someone in the room.

Relationships are important to living your best life. Today, make a phone call to someone you care about. Maybe play a game of scrabble with your partner instead of watching t.v. Just see how your life improves when you improve your relationships.