Building Love and Compassion

I first read the book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman at least 10 years ago and thought it was one of the best relationship books I had ever read.  I chose it for the first book in our self-help book selections because it is all about cultivating and showing love and compassion for others.  The book is based on the premise that we all have our own way of expressing love.  One person might feel loved when being complimented, another when giving gifts.  Misunderstandings arise when our love languages aren't in sync.

Here are some revelations from the book that  I would like to share with you: 

• The need to feel loved is a primary human emotional need.  
  

• Whatever the quality of your present relationships, they can always be better.
  
• Mark Twain said, "I can live for two months on a good compliment".  Verbal compliments are far greater motivators than nagging words. 
  
• Encouragement requires empathy and seeing the world from the other person's perspective. 
  
• We build intimacy in a relationship by sharing our feelings.
  
• Forgiveness is the way of love.  Love doesn’t keep score.  Do not bring up past failures.  
  
• Live for today.  
  
• Love makes requests, not demands. 
  
• Giving someone your undivided attention is one of the greatest gifts you can give a person.  Look at the other person and talk to them.  Listen to the feelings behind the words.  
  
• A good relationship requires sympathetic listening with a view to understanding the other person's thoughts, feelings and desires. 
  
• Learn not to interrupt.  The average person only allows the other person to speak for 17 seconds before giving their opinion.   
  
• Gifts are visual symbols of love.  Gift of self or the gift of presence is often the most powerful gift. 
  
• Physical touch is  a way of communicating emotional love.  Touch is a powerful healing tool.  
  
• Love is a choice.  Love makes a difference.  Love is liberating. 
  

https://www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/