Oddly enough, relationships are just that – relational. Like, back and forth. Depending on the relationship, they take a level of mutual concentration and commitment, or they fade away and die.

The New York Times is running a series called “The 7-Day Happiness Challenge” that I think should be required reading for everyone on the planet. Americans, especially, seem to think that the more isolated they are, the happier they will be, but, like so many unquestioned premises of the American Dream, the very opposite is true. The very opposite is true. Only when your attention is turned away from yourself are you truly happy. The more self-absorbed you are, the unhappier you will become. Read the study: It’s true. Try to be mindful and intentional about your relationships, cultivate them, and you will be happier.

Oddly enough, I began my own version of the second-day plan, “The Secret Power of the 8-Minute Phone Call” a few months ago, but mine was about twice as long, at 15 minutes. I’ve found it to be a short, concentrated, quality conversation that is available to even the busiest of people, making it seem kind of like a little coffee break rather than a marathon. I’m going to try a failing New Year’s resolution around it: Once a day, text someone I love, explain the rules and play the 15-minute Intense Convo Game. I bet it’s even better if you make a few notes beforehand.

Rome : Trastevere, Ponte Sisto, Castel Sant’Angelo, Pantheon. 31 December 2022 — 1 January 2023