For several months now, I have been pretty obsessed with the newest book from the Heath Brothers, “The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact.”
It’s an exceptional book about how we can be authors of defining moments in our lives. One of the ways is through moments of connection.
The book cites a 2007 paper, “Steps Toward the Ripening of Relationship Science,” from social psychologist Harry T. Reis that says we have stronger relationships when we feel that our partners are “responsive” to us.
Responsiveness includes three things:
- Understanding: “My partner knows how I see myself and what is important to me.”
- Validation: “My partner respects who I am and what I want.”
- Caring: “My partner takes active and supportive steps in helping me meet my needs.”
I love this way of thinking to help examine the key relationships in our lives, and I want to leave you with a simple challenge I’m asking myself: What’s one thing I can do today to be more responsive to someone I love?