By far, in my opinion, the most important thing in anyone's life is their relationships. Sure, not everyone prioritizes relationships at number one, but the fact is that when we are on our death bed we won't be asking for our money, our awards, or our possessions, because we will have realized by then that those things mean nothing unless they have helped you to build new and lasting relationships.

I have been thinking about my relationships lately, and I've been disappointed with myself. Over the past two years I've paid little attention to them, and so now I can see how this has affected my connection to my friends and relatives. With all the traveling and business that has been going on, I have forgotten to nourish my relationships like I should have. A good friendship is like a flower; it must be constantly nurtured if it is to become the most perfect and beautiful version of itself. Without the right attention the flower will die, and although my relationships have not died, I can tell that they have withered.

The most beautiful joy has come into my life lately when I have reconnected with my closest friends, and with this in mind, I want to encourage you to do the same with your relationships. Keep regular contact with the people you love, and don't let the business of life get in the way of you and the people who are supposed to be most important to you.

Don't let yourself imagine that your friends will simply pick up where you left off – they will, as the flower without attention, wither away until they are nurtured again. Don't assume that the fact that your friends aren't contacting you means that they don't want to talk to you – they may be thinking the same about you. Don't say "This is just how I am. When I see my friends again it will be like we never left each other." This may be the case, but don't imagine that long separation goes without damage. Start the habit of regular contact with those who you want in your life. They will thank you for it, and you will thank yourself when you are in most need of a friend.