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Subscribe at GravitasMag.com | 41 Visit GravitasMag.com for an audio narrative of this ar ticle by the author. By Jules Lewis Gibson, Founder & President GR AVITAS Magazine Follow Jules @SeasideJules closest to you your undivided attention. Technology has given us a window into the world, but far too often we are isolated from the actual world, trapped in a screen. Some people spend the majority of their day communicating through a device. Facetime cannot replace real, face-to-face time. It's challenging to get people to actually talk on the phone nowadays instead of texting. Modern communication is devolving into a few broken sentences, abbreviations and emoji's. Put down your phone, turn off your computer and the TV, and talk to the people in your life. Plan a family game night during the week to reconnect with your kids, or turn cooking into a group activity by preparing a meal together. If you have a family at home, make din- nertime a priority. Use the time together to talk about happenings in your lives, or current events. Ask everyone to bring a topic of interest to the table to discuss to liven up dinner conversation. Plan a special girls' getaway with your friends, even if it's just to a local spa for the day, or a weekday dinner. Remind those close to you that they are important. Without question, nurturing the relationships in your life can bring you the greatest joy. Community Action Get involved. Whether it's local government, a church, charity, meet- up group or sports activity, there are numerous ways to get connected to your community. Find organizations and causes that speak to you. Making a difference can assume many forms. Volunteering at your local food bank or an at-risk children's center can have enormous rewards and give your life a sense of purpose and belonging. ere are many ways both big and small that you can help change the world. Becoming active in your local government can be empowering. To date, more than a half-dozen states have either calculated their own GPI or had their GPI developed by an academic and/or nonprofit organization: Maryland, Vermont, Washington, Hawaii, Ohio and Utah. ese states recognize the importance of responsible growth and a good quality of life for their residents. Find out why Florida is not on the list, and become a spoke in the wheel of change. Jefferson wisely used the phrase "the pursuit of happiness." None of us is guaranteed happiness, but we are fortunate to have the right to pursue it in America. It cannot be given; you must define it for yourself. It's not a destination, but rather a moving target. A work in progress, always changing as we grow and evolve. ere is no race to win—the joy is in the journey. D "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." Eldridge Cleaver ONE WOMAN CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BUT TOGETHER WE CAN ROCK THE WORLD Market yourself with us! P R I N T - D I G I TA L - S O C I A L - E V E N T M A R K E T I N G - -ALL IN ONE- Market your business to professional & affluent women in the Tampa Bay - Sarasota region. Let's give the Old Boys a run for their money! Visit GravitasMag.com for details or call us at 941.227.7331 New Girls Club

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