Traditionally, Valentine's Day is an occasion to show your loved ones how much you care, complete with the usual gifts of chocolates and heartfelt cards. Besides being a commercial bonanza, Valentine's Day can be your own time for reviewing your relationships and, if need be, making a wish list for change.

Maybe you have a particular wish for 2003 when it comes to your relationships. If you currently are waiting for a special someone to enter your life, make a list of the kinds of characteristics you'd like this person to have. Examples of important traits to include are: honesty, kindness, loyalty, generosity, and so on. You might even include pursuits or hobbies that your ideal partner would have, such as music, hiking, or cooking. Your wish list can be as short or as long as you desire.

Why should you make a list of your future partner's characteristics? There are a couple of reasons: You can discover exactly what you're seeking in a partner by specifying his or her ideal traits; and you can set the wheels in motion to bring a partner into your life by writing down your goal and focusing on it.

Perhaps your wish list includes patching up a relationship that has gone awry at some point. The same principle applies: put your wish down on paper first, to make it a measurable, objective goal.

More than likely, you will want to take action on your goal by reaching out to the person with whom you need to smooth things over, either with a phone call or a visit. It's possible that the other individual will respond with a lack of interest in mending or renewing the relationship. In that case, it may be best to move on, knowing that you did the best you could to patch things up.

This Valentine's Day, cherish the relationships you already have, even as you make your Valentine's wish for new or more loving relationships. No matter how few they might be in number, your close relationships are worth more than you can measure.

© Kathy Sanborn
Life Channels Staff Writer
All Rights Reserved

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