Evaluate your relationships

Take "The Connections Test" from Balance 20/20: Six Keys to a Harmonious Life by George Bartko.

Simple activities that build connections
• Take the daily test. Ask yourself if you are the best romantic partner, spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, friend, employee, manager, relative, and neighbor you can be. If not, make one simple change today toward being the best.

• Write a letter to someone you care about and tell him or her how much he or she means to you.

• Keep a journal of the most important people in your life. Interview them and use a video camera or audio recorder, or simply write it down. Interview your parents, children, siblings, and friends. Find out about significant events, their proud achievements, fears, love, regrets, and dreams. You will be rewarded with a deeper awareness of who they truly are.

• Make a photo album with pictures of the most important people in your life. Call it "My World" and leave it out and visibly accessible to you and visitors. Choose photos that truly depict who these people are to you. Browse through it every now and then and be re reminded-in your heart of how rich life is with these people in it, including those who influenced you but have passed on.

• Create a family tree. Use paper or software and go to online sources to try to find your history. Documenting family history gives you a deeper sense of your roots and something valuable to pass on to your children.

• Give a gift of time and place. The next time a gift is called for, arrange to spend time with the person instead. Give a card suggesting a specific time, place, and activity.

• Set up a regular time each week to call your family and friends. Just a catch-up call to stay connected.

• Make a life plan journal. Write down your goals for your relationships and every other area of your life. Refer to it every year on your birthday to see if you are following your plans.

• Have an evaluation day. Schedule a recurring appointment with your romantic partner, your family members, and your friends to evaluate your relationship in the following areas:
- Goals
- Attentiveness
- Needs
- Caring
- Spending quality time
- Change
- Problems/issues