Dear friends,

It has been a while since I wrote my last newsletter, yet I did promise on coming back...and here I am!! I hope you had a good start in 2006, and over the past few months you have outlined your visions and efforts towards your goals, in order to concentrate on them over the rest of the year. I personally have had some challenging circumstances as 2005 ended. These last few months were the beginning of restoring things. Again...all tribulations bring about growth, perseverance, character and hope. I was reminded again that the core of my being is balanced with my FAITH, and my RELATIONSHIPS with others proved as one of keen resources in life! I then decided to start my newsletter for this year with RELATIONSHIP as the point of focus.

In this newsletter, I invite you to notice and nurture the friendships that enrich your life. If you feel you don't have enough of such relationships in your life, perhaps now is the time to begin building them! I'd like to share a few simple ways to nurture your relationships to enrich your life:

1. IN THE CRITICAL MOMENTS. As you have probably noticed in your life, your true friends often emerge during the tough times. There had been moments that nothing else could have replaced an encouraging touch or words from a friend. As I was facing a medical emergency with my family, true friends showed through when we mostly needed them! Their prayers and presence made what seemed impossible, become a hope. There are friends who will always hold a special place in my heart because of their love and support. All of us need someone we can share our pains and our victories with. Make it a priority to be there for your loved ones when they need you!

2. PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE TO INCLUDE TIME FOR FRIENDS. In the hectic pace of your life, refuse to allow an overloaded schedule to crowd out space for connecting with the people who truly matter to you. If there is little room for your personal life, it is time to re-prioritize. Time for connecting with friends is essential to your well-being and quality of life. Whether it is a regularly scheduled lunch date, a handwritten "just thinking about you" note or regular phone call, be deliberate about connecting consistently. Whenever I am either in Japan, USA, Africa, Europe or elsewhere, I make it a priority to remember to remain in touch with my true friends... it can be a simple e-mail to see how they are doing, a phone call....a visit or something I know they will appreciate. Sometimes it might take me a while...but I will still do it!

3. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND THOSE THAT YOU HAVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT YOU APPRECIATE THEM. It can be easy to appreciate a friendship, yet not tell your friend how much you appreciate it. Don't take a true friend for granted. Let your true friends know they are special to you.

Appreciate them! It is easy to identify what you want from the people in your life. But also find out what the people in your life want from you. We often give people what we would want, but what we want may not be as important to the other person. Don't waste your energy. Ask. Then listen and respond based on what they tell you.

SEEK FOR THE RIGHT FRIENDS. I once wrote a newsletter on friendship, which can be reviewed on my website on the newsletter list. Always be sure you keep company with good, true friends because in doing so, it brings the goodness out of you. At different stages of your life, what you need in a friend may change. Sometimes we outgrow friendships or move to a new place and long for the companionship of old friends. Pray that the right people will cross your path. Be willing to reach out. Even though I still have friendships with some during my time as a teenager, my circle of friends has changed as I have grown older. These changes have helped me also to grow as a Christian, entrepreneur, writer and in other areas where the right friends supported me with their knowledge, talents and resources...or just by being there for me and listening to my dreams.

Friendship is a mutual action....giving and receiving. Only being a recipient or a giver is not a healthy way to build a true friendship. There is a time in life that we have to be there for others as well. Use your resources and talents as tools to create richer, more meaningful experiences with others. When you are a good steward of your resources, you are in a better position to bless and share with others. Remember that God works miracles through people. Ask yourself, "How do I want people's lives to be enhanced because they crossed my path?" This question gets to the core of your life purpose. Your greatest success comes when you fulfill the unique purpose for which you were created.

Though I have used friendship as one example of relationship, all relationships need nurturing....weather is a relative/family or business. I am challenging you to do something that will nurture your existing relationships, by doing so, you will be one step richer...for true richness is when we are whole, content and completed...true relationships completes us.

Till next time,