It’s the strangest thing… we are said to be social creatures, that we need and seek out others to feel complete. No doubt there is truth here. However, the one person we need to have our most important relationship with is OURSELVES. We fill our time going from one thing to another as a parent, family member, for work, as a coach, as a volunteer. Yet, spending time alone, to hit our own “refresh” button is crucial. What is important to us? It changes as we change. Who do we value; who are our role models and mentors? This too changes as we discover who we can depend on, who shares a friendship that comes without conditions or “you owe me” mentality. If we take pause, at early morning (of course with coffee), or at the end of the day while loved ones sleep and the snores of our blind dog, or purrs of the felines fill the room, we are presented with the gift of reflection. What has made us feel good, what hurts linger… what can we do better. Those answers do not come through the voices of others, or from rooms filled with nonsensical chatter, rather from your own crystal clear voice as you talk to yourself.