Each Monday on the Pure Purpose blog, I feature This Week’s 7, a simple list about an everyday topic, giving you ideas and encouragement. This week’s list includes ways to stay connected with people. In today’s rush-from-one-responsibility-to-another, or glue-your-eyes-and-hands-to-your-phone, we can seem connected when we’re actually missing out on going deeper with friends and family. Step out of the rut and foster healthy, growing relationships.
- Take a walk. It doesn’t have to be a fast or long walk. Stroll through a park, explore a walking trail, or take a walk down memory lane in your neighborhood.
- Fill a card with words. Sounds like writing a simple note, but challenge yourself to take another approach. Write a collage of words that describe what you appreciate about a friend or what memories you share with a family member.
- Create a virtual scrapbook page. Smilebox is one of my favorite sites to create and share a page of photos and notes to email a friend or family.
- Send a surprise. It’s fun to receive a fun package, especially when it’s a surprise. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Keep your eyes open for fun, easy-to-ship items such as notepads, magnets, and favorite candies (that won’t melt!).
- Plan a surprise “date.” Set the time and date, so the person knows you’ll pick her up. Give her only the basics, such as anything specific she might prefer to wear or have with her. Do something unusual you know you’ll both enjoy, such as painting pottery, going to an amusement park, or creating frozen yogurt treats.
- Make a puzzle together. Set aside time each week or every other week to work on a puzzle together. Roll it in a puzzle saver in between get-togethers, so neither person is tempted to work on it alone. When you’re done, stand back and enjoy the completed pictures – and the chatter you enjoyed throughout the process.
- Create a new memory. Try something neither of you have done: ziplining? sushi? kickboxing?