As we enter February and are aware of Valentine's Day coming up, I'd like to offer a few insights to help us make the very most of this month.

The focus is on relationships and opportunities we have to go deeper this month and beyond. The gift of our presence and being truly engaged in conversation can share our love for those around us.

Think about the people you spend a significant amount of time with on a regular basis. Are they relatively new people or people you have known for years?

Either way, think about the times you will see them this month and what you could do to further your conversations and relationships.

My brother and I had a chance to connect last night. He was in Minnesota on a treadmill and I was riding my Peloton and we talked for almost an hour about many wide ranging topics and had time to hear in more depth what the other person was thinking. It was great to have to have time to ask follow-up questions and have space to share.

A few tips for making the most of our conversations this month:

1) Be proactive and create a space for a good conversation - get away from phones and TVs - and find a space/activity such as a quiet restaurant, cafe, or go on a walk.

2) Ask some open ended questions and then more specific follow-up questions as the conversation evolves.

3) We are blessed as humans to be able to think about the past, present, and future - take the time to ask questions and share insights from each of these areas.

4) Give compliments and share positive affirmations about them that you think often, but seldom say. It means so much!