First, before I cut into the meat of today's newsletter, let me tell you where I am and what it looks like.

I am writing this from a balcony overlooking Baguio City: the "summer capital of the Philippines".

The view is breathtaking. Brightly colored houses are cut into every inch of the mountainside, you can see fog roaming throughout the valley, and the sun cuts through chunky clouds- beaming light down on the city.

The sounds are just as vibrant as the view: both near and far, the roosters crow, and the dogs bark. The city is coming to life.

But today's letter isn't about what I am seeing and hearing, it is about what I am feeling.

Two Brothers, One Lesson

As I sit here, I've been reflecting on my relationships and how I (don't) communicate with the people that I care about.

Last week, I met two brothers (Ken & Kim) and I asked them to accompany me on this weekend trip to Baguio. It was a 6 hour drive from Metro Manila, so I wanted some support with this adventure.

As I've been sharing my AirBnB with these Filipino brothers, I've learned a BIG lesson on proactive communication.

What 11 Video Calls Taught Me About Connection

I've been on 11 FaceTime calls over the past 2 days. Not one of them was with my own family or my friends. With no exaggeration, I've been introduced to: brother, sister, mom, dad, grandma, a few cousins, the girlfriend, several friends. I even had a short video chat with the LDS missionaries.

Filipinos, as it turns out, ALWAYS have a pulse on their relationships. They don't care if their video chat is pixelated, or if the call is just 1-2 minutes long, they ALWAYS make time to check-in with the people they care about. And, as a result, it is no surprise that every Filipino has a strong support network and countless bonds that they can rely on.

Contrasting Communication

As I've grown older, I've struggled to stay in touch with my friends and family. But, until now, it has never been so obvious.

You see, when I talk to someone on the phone or FaceTime, I make it into a big ordeal: I schedule a time, and then the call goes on for a long while. This is fine, but it makes it difficult for everyone to make time. With video chats and phone calls my standards are just too high. Your relationships should never be a burden, they should make your burdens light.

The Filipino Secret To Strong Relationships

So here is the key lesson that I am learning: If you want to build a wide web of strong relationships, then build SIMPLE and SINCERE communication into your routine. Proactive communication doesn't need to be a complicated, time-consuming task. It should be a simple, heartfelt activity that strengthens relationships.

You don't have to schedule a call and make it into a 90-minute tell-all. It is okay to reach out to someone at 7:52 AM just to say good morning over a choppy, pixelated video chat.

Let's Chat Soon

I'm committed to improving my communication. I don't want to watch my relationships wither away, I want to see them grow.

So, don't be surprised if I pop-in for a choppy, pixelated 90-second video chat sometime soon.

After all, this seems to be one of the Filipino secrets to rock-solid relationships.

Chat soon,

Cliff