It’s important to learn to love those close to you. You and the significant people in your life need to know what it takes to feel loved. What is your love language? What is theirs? If you aren’t speaking the right language, you may be misunderstood.
Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, recognizes these languages of love.
1. Words of affirmation – say kind, encouraging words
2. Acts of service – do something nice for the other person
3. Receiving gifts – give gifts to show you care (something meaningful to the recipient)
4. Quality time – spend uninterrupted time with the person you love
5. Physical touch – demonstrate your affection by holding hands, hugging, etc.
Take the quiz at https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes to discover what you need to feel loved and how you need to love those close to you.
Age gives us wisdom and knowledge and opens up more possibilities for pursuing life’s unique purpose and meaning. With fewer family and career responsibilities, we can dedicate ourselves to others including a spouse, friends, or even someone in need we hardly know. While we may face age-related physical, emotional, and cognitive changes, we also have the opportunity to be part of a caring, supportive network for our partner, family members, and friends in good times and in difficult ones, too. Relationships that have strengthened over twenty, thirty, or forty years will help us love those close to us no matter what the circumstances.
Doing so will be a balancing act. It’s not always convenient or easy to show your love for others. Remain thankful and trust your ability to remain positive and flexible, skills you have honed over time.
Here are some thoughts for you to consider throughout the year about how to love those close to you:
• Develop strong relationships with your partner, family, and friends. These will sustain you through good times and bad times.
• Take the 5 Love Languages quiz mentioned above. Give and look forward to receiving.
• Provide support and be able to receive it.
• Be willing to admit when mistakes. Say “I’m sorry.” Make amends. Take the Apology Language quiz at https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes.
• Think about how your actions influence others, especially the people you love and care about.
• Show the important people in your life that you love them. Choose different ways, large and small, in their love language.
• Enjoy practicing these skills now and reaping the benefits. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Build strong relationships and love those close to you by speaking their love language frequently throughout their lifetime.