REFLECTION: As I write this week’s Pause message, I am back in snowy Saskatoon after a two week break in the sunny south. Dave and I cruised the Caribbean for 10 days (joined by our eldest daughter and son in law) and then spent 4 days on our own exploring Key West, Florida. We celebrated our 36th anniversary in Key West with a wine and wind sunset cruise on Danger’s schooner, the Prize. A great experience all round!

Those of you who are long term Pause readers may recall that last year this time, my early February Pause message featured a list of relationship lessons learned from 35 years of married life. That edition of Pause elicited quite a strong and positive response.

At that time, a number of you wrote to share your own relationship lessons and advice. I promised to pass your comments along. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this seems to be the perfect time to do so. In the Readers’ Write section of today’s message, you’ll find a link to a collection of Pause Reader relationship advice.

Many of you also asked me to pretty up the Ten Lessons List a bit so you could: post it on your fridge, tack it to your bulletin board, share it with your partner, or tuck it into wedding gifts for other couples just starting out.

My Valentine’s gift to you is a formatted poster style version of those Lessons Learned. You’ll find a link to a printable pdf below in the Resource Of The Week. Enjoy and share as you wish.

ACTION: Relationships are such an important part of life. Pause this week to appreciate those friends, partners, colleagues and family members who contribute so much to your life. If you haven’t done so recently, take a moment to let them know how much they mean to you.

I guarantee it will be time well spent. You’ll never regret making the time to let someone know you care. You may, however, regret letting the busy-ness of life force aside your best intentions to speak up.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Love is not about finding the right person, but creating a right relationship. It’s not about how much love you have in the beginning but how much love you build till the end.” – Author Unknown

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK: Link to the Lessons Learned poster:  http://www.pauseworks.com/library/articles/loves_lessons_learned.pdf

READERS WRITE: Here’s the compilation of Pause reader relationship advice: http://www.pauseworks.com/community/relationship_lessons.php