Sharing Love
“To love a person is to learn the song that is in their heart and to sing it to them when they have forgotten.”
― Arne Garborg
How do you show love? How do you best recognize love?
We all speak slightly different languages when it comes to love based on our way of being, upbringing, and context. Someone might feel the most loved when they see someone investing time in the relationship, or giving hugs and affectionate touch. We might demonstrate our love for a parent by calling and asking about their health and hobbies, or with a friend by complimenting their style or resilience.
There are so many ways to speak and understand love! This is a beautiful facet of the emotion and can be frustrating if we miss the memo, don’t hear love in a way we understand, or find our efforts misunderstood.
There is a great resource and quiz called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman that can help us clarify our preferred love language. Check it out this week, share your results with your loved ones, and learn about theirs!
While navigating these languages, it is usually the most effective to:
Assume the other person’s good intentions
Get curious and ask questions when things get misunderstand-y
Offer specific ways that they have offered love in your language in the past
And brainstorm ways you both can collaborate on a more loving connection
Sounds way better than roses and a card to me!
A whole heap of quality time and hugs (love),
Blake