When was the last time you invited someone new to join your book club or dinner group? Or had a deep and meaningful conversation with a sister in your Relief Society? Or went out of your way to sit by someone you didn't know? It's comfortable to be part of a familiar group! And it's easy to gravitate to the friends we know and love. But by making our circles bigger we have the power to change the course of a life.

"Be the one person for the one person that needs us most."

In today's episode, our guest Brooke Romney discusses with Kathryn what it takes to find ways of connecting and making our circles into "horseshoes" in order to strengthen relationships and welcome new friendships. Brooke has been a champion for what it means to be a real friend, and she has written many times over on her blog about how connection is an essential part of our experience in life.

Top takeaways from this episode:

• Connection is an essential part of God's plan, and we are there to remind each other of that.
• Making our social circles into "horseshoes" helps people feel comfortable to come in and out of our lives when it's right for them.
• People are eager to share their stories and showing genuine interest can go a long way in connecting as friends.
• Sometimes it's important to tell Heavenly Father that you're okay with being uncomfortable in order to carry out his work.
• Heavenly Father is going to accomplish his purposes, but it's up to us if we want to be a part of it.

Small and simple challenge: Get down on your knees and ask God whose life you need to be in today. It might be your mom, your kids, your sister, or your friends, but he will always direct you when you ask. Then get up and act.

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