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- Apr 25, 2006
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Learn to love better
'Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting' 1 Corinthians 13:7
Before you switch off, thinking 'Mushy stuff? Er, no thanks', just stop a second. Even if you've not got that special someone in your life who sets your heart a-fluttering and turns your legs to jelly, you'll still have friends and family who you love (not in that way necessarily, but as mates at least. Go on - admit it - you do care, don't you?!). So maybe it's worth stopping for a second, and seeing what we can learn about loving better.
Here are just two top tips:
1) Don't just use your lugs to listen. Listen to the things people don't say, as well as the words they do. If your mates and family feel like you're really paying attention to their lives, they'll feel more loved and valued - which has got to be a good thing, right?
2) Believe the best (and forget the rest!) So you'll have probably seen them at their worst, with that huge zit on their chin or their head down the toilet - but reminding them of all that guff isn't necessarily going to make them feel supported is it?
Instead, focus on the best bits of them, remind them of the good times, tell them they do something well. Yes, it's still really important to let them know if they're doing something dodgy, and to gently correct them if they keep mucking up in the same way - but it's just as important to big them up a bit, whether they need it or not. Who knows - you might just make their day!
written by Bob Gass
'Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting' 1 Corinthians 13:7
Before you switch off, thinking 'Mushy stuff? Er, no thanks', just stop a second. Even if you've not got that special someone in your life who sets your heart a-fluttering and turns your legs to jelly, you'll still have friends and family who you love (not in that way necessarily, but as mates at least. Go on - admit it - you do care, don't you?!). So maybe it's worth stopping for a second, and seeing what we can learn about loving better.
Here are just two top tips:
1) Don't just use your lugs to listen. Listen to the things people don't say, as well as the words they do. If your mates and family feel like you're really paying attention to their lives, they'll feel more loved and valued - which has got to be a good thing, right?
2) Believe the best (and forget the rest!) So you'll have probably seen them at their worst, with that huge zit on their chin or their head down the toilet - but reminding them of all that guff isn't necessarily going to make them feel supported is it?
Instead, focus on the best bits of them, remind them of the good times, tell them they do something well. Yes, it's still really important to let them know if they're doing something dodgy, and to gently correct them if they keep mucking up in the same way - but it's just as important to big them up a bit, whether they need it or not. Who knows - you might just make their day!
written by Bob Gass
