Tuesday, August 30, 2011

So Many Ways To Say It

This summer I read a lovely book called The Five Love Languages for Singles by Gary Chapman. The book is not fancily written nor difficult to pore over; indeed, it is perhaps the most simplistic book I've read in a very long time.

The Five Love Languages is just as its title suggests: the five different ways of communicating love to others: through time, touch, words, gifts, or service and which of these is most effective for every different person.

It was a wonderfully relatable book as it featured a bountiful supply of real stories about real people and their real struggles. It has caused me this summer to see people in a very different light.

This novel explains how to determine a friend's love language and how to fill it--complimenting a friend whose language is words, giving a hug to a friend whose language is touch, and so on. This has made friendship take on a different perspective for me; now I want to find out my good friends' languages and be able to make them feel loved.

I've been able to rebuild a broken relationship with my dad, hold tight to a best friendship that is falling apart, and make an outcast feel a little more wanted just by giving her a hug.

It's so simple.

Well, I'm off to find another way to tell my recently returned sister that I love her.

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3 comments:

  1. Michelle WittAugust 31, 2011 at 11:18 AM

    This sounds like a very interesting book to read. I havent really thought of different ways to love, but after reading the blog, I realized that there are plenty of ways to love and show it. I haven't read a book yet, for I have ap comp second quarter so I am holing off, but maybe I will consider this one!!

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  2. LauraAugust 31, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    I read about something very similar in a magazine and it is amazing how we do have these communication patterns, and I wouldn't be surprised if many of us don't even really realise it beyond superficiality.

    It's really interesting how you used the advice proactively. I think it's amazing when books positively change our lives and the lives of those around us.

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  3. Halle SiebertAugust 31, 2011 at 7:31 PM

    Wow Mary! I'm so glad that this book has had such an effect on your life! It truly does sound like a great book. I love how it focuses on the little positives in life that can make a difference in a relationship; people don't think about that stuff anymore.

    p.s. If you own it, could I borrow it? haha (:

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