The Little Blue Book

8. NURTURE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS We are all, at the heart of it, social animals – just ‘members of the long hut’ – and share broadly the same physical and emotional needs, and the same deep yearning for acceptance. Having strong family connections and good friends – a support network we can call on when we need a little help – is important to our mental health. Especially if you surround yourself with good people, with shared values and a positive outlook. Positive people have an uplifting effect on those around them; generous people seed generosity, and warm people radiate warmth and draw warmth around them. Learn to communicate with your close friends and family; the more easily you can talk about feelings, emotions and things troubling you, the better you can protect your mental health and wellbeing. Besides being cathartic (in getting things out into the open and off your chest), good friends will recognise when you need help and support, and be there for you. So, nurture relationships and embrace ‘accountability’ – to ourselves and to others for the actions we take, and the life we lead. Perhaps the least we can do, treating ourselves well, treating our loved ones well, treating friends and co-workers well, is also among the best things we can do. An authentic ethical life – with good health, eating well, sleeping well, living well, loving well, is worth striving for. And even when we fail or let our ideals slip, just the striving and the search to find ‘the better self’ is perhaps the most satisfying part of the journey. ADA Australia 121 Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 PostScript