Love is Something You Do

With both spouses and children, quality communication time is important if we are to build strong, supportive, and meaningful relationships. The lack of time and the breakdown of communication in marriages and families is a common cause of pressures and stress that can accumulate to extremely volatile levels.

Consistently, the best times for quality communication to take place are in the evening prior to sleep and in the morning before we get involved in the activities of the day. These are the times when children of all ages are most receptive. A few minutes spent constructively during these times can be more valuable than an hour during the more active times of the day.

A wife, somewhat pleading and somewhat complaining, said to her husband, “We’ve been married twenty-four years, and the last time I remember you telling me you love me was on our wedding night.”

 ”Don’t worry,” he replied, “if it changes I’ll let you know.”

We need to tell our spouses, family, and friends that we love them with our words and by our actions. When we tell someone we love them and why, the feelings that result are not only positive and pleasant, they are health-promoting.

 Praise is the steam that rises from a warm heart. Many people deserve our vocal gratitude – the child mowing the lawn, the loved one wearing something special, the coworker who passes an article of interest our way, and so on. More than a feeling, love is an expression and an action – it is our behavior.