#5) Nurture social relationships. In what way do you feel connected and a part of something more meaningful?

This is where I fall short in recent years. There's nothing like a team effort toward a meaningful goal; the feeling of camaraderie and connection is so rewarding. I've been in situations like that in the past. I've written about my work in the Bunco for Breast Cancer event, and about my collaboration on writing a family history book. I've joined walks to raise funds for the March of Dimes, the American Heart Association, and Susan G. Komen. Back in my days of working for Wells Fargo, I participated in a bowling league and joined company softball teams. I enjoyed each of those situations and the social relationships they helped nurture.

Back when my daughter Julie was in grade school, there was a time when she was in both gymnastics and softball. We were frantically juggling tons of gymnastics practices, meets, softball practices and games until it got way out of control. We asked Julie to pick the activity she liked best. Being very good at both of them, it wasn't an easy decision for her to make. I found it interesting that she ultimately chose softball, and the more I thought about it, it's the activity I would have chosen also. She decided that she enjoyed the dynamics of working together as a team member in softball, as opposed to performing on her own in gymnastics.

I'd love to feel connected and be part of a team again. My work environment just doesn't foster those types of feelings. As I gathered warm clothing donations for the Fishes and Loaves Ministry downtown this Christmas, I was thanked via email by several people at Mercer who volunteer for that organization. I found myself wondering what it would be like to volunteer for a similar organization myself. Or perhaps I could start working with Darlene on compiling the second edition of our family history book. What holds me back is the feeling that I can't possibly cram one more thing into my already jam-packed days. But one day something will give, and I'll have more time to enjoy a rewarding collaborative experience once again.