Recently, I took a poll of people and asked them two questions.
The questions were:
1. How do you express your love to others?
2. In what way do you receive love?
Of
course, responses were varied. As you read their answers, think about
people you know. Are you expressing your love the way you want to or
the way that person best receives love? It is important for us to
realize how people feel loved. For one person it is in actions
expressed. For another, it is in words.
My husband and I were
probably married about 15 years before I became conscious of the way he
expressed his love. Robb expresses love through his giving. He is a
very generous man. He likes to buy me jewelry. When he would buy me a
gift, I would ask him why he spent the money instead of thanking him
for his expression of love. In actuality, I was putting him down
because I didn’t appreciate his gift. Once I began to understand, I
thanked him for the gift and wore it. On the other hand, the way Robb
receives love is by being respected. Respect encompasses many things to
him. I am learning daily what that means so I can show him love.
The
people in your life may not understand how much you love them because
you are not speaking their language. I want to encourage you to learn
their love language. It will help you to have a better relationship
with them.
Here is a sample of what those polled thought.
1. How do you express your love to others?
2. In what way do you receive love?
Keli: 1. Contact and spend time consistently; Buy gifts or what they like
2. Someone consistently pursuing me; Receive little things that I like
Tom: 1. Doing little unexpected things for them; Being hospitable,
appreciate them; Say “hi” or show interest
2. When people follow up; Doing what they say or keeping their word
Mike: 1. By Serving
2. People go out of their way for me when they don't have to
Tina: 1. Kind words and time; Thoughtful gifts
2. Thoughtfulness
Joel: 1. Obeying parents; Spending time
2. When they give up something to help me; In any way helping me
Chelsea: 1. Telling them; Writing cards; Being respectful
2. When people spend time with me, take time for me; thoughtfulness
Chantelle: 1. Words of affirmation
2. Words of affirmation
Anthony: 1. Encourage them
2. Helping me
Steve: 1. Do nice things that they appreciate; Thoughtfulness
2. When they do something and it's genuine; Being genuine
Mary 1. Hugs; Tell them they are important
2. Being told; People's actions
Tasha: 1. Words; Gifts
2. Words; Hugs
Joel: 1. Hugs; Do things for them
2. Very awkwardly
Kirsten: 1. Tell them I love them; Do things for them
2. Actions; Words
Tania: 1. Celebrate others
2. When people are sincere and genuine
Rita: 1. Getting them gifts; Desiring to spend time
2. For them to spend time with me
Ryan: 1. Loyalty; Honesty; Generosity; Solve problems; Meet needs;
Give of self; Being there when they need me
2. Loyalty; Honesty; Generosity; Problem solving
Matt: 1. Giving
2. Actions
Jacques: 1. Respect and support
2. Respect and support
Mary: 1. Time; Affection; Attention
2. Attention; Affection; Time; Communication
Matt: 1. Actions
2. Gifts; Time
Kathleen: 1. Spend time; Giving
2. By them wanting to spend time with me; Affection
Beth: 1. Spend time; Giving
2. Go out of their way to spend time with me
Cindy: 1. Attention
2. Time; Attention
Andy: 1. Actions (doing)
2. When someone does something for me; Verbal Approval
Eddie: 1. Giving
2. Words
Hannah: 1. Spending time
2. When they give time to me
Emily: 1. Talk; Interact
2. Talk to me a lot
Blanca: 1. Actions
2. Time
Kevin: 1. Giving; Serving
2. Giving; Time
Christopher: 1. Giving
2. Try to talk to me
Andrew: 1. Actions (Doing things for them)
2. By their actions
Throughout the year, don’t look out for your own interests, look out for the interests of others!!!!
Reach out and touch someone!