The Expression of Love

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Samantha Schech

Valentine’s Day is a day where we open our hearts and make every effort to shower people with our love. But for some, the open expression of love is a challenge. Each individual chooses to share their love in a different manner; some opt for gifts, while others may write poems to express their love.

It is important to understand the ways in which you like to receive love and it’s important to have an open conversation with your partner regarding the ways in which you like to receive love and the ways in which you show your love.

There is a book by Gary D. Chapman called The Five Love Languages. In this book, the author believes in the importance of being able to express your love in a way that is meaningful to you and in a way that your partner can understand.

Everyone expresses their emotions differently and has a different need when it comes to love. This book helps to identify yourself and your emotional need, i.e. Love Language. For example, my love language is Acts of Service; I choose to express my love through the act of doing something for someone else. If I were in a relationship with someone who needs Words of Affirmation to feel love, the relationship may be stressed because of the differences.

Understanding and knowing your Love Language provides you with a great opportunity to have an open discussion with your partner about your feelings and needs in your relationship. Take some time to discuss this with your partner and find ways to identify it in your day to day. Perhaps true acts of love are being overlooked, simply because they are not in your Love Language.

This Valentine’s Day, how will you choose to express your love?

MSAA does not endorse the purchase of any specific product(s). Rather, any brand names are mentioned solely as an informational resource.

Let’s Get Together: 4 Tips for Maintaining Friendships

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Angel Blair

In a world full of chaotic days filled with busy agendas and routines, it’s difficult to maintain some relationships you hold with others. Promises of “let’s get together” are sometimes broken, not that it’s done purposefully, but at times it’s hard to manage all the expectations in a given day.

Certain tasks are given priority, while others are pushed to the side to wait for another day. This is a realistic expectation in the 21^st century; people are just plain busy! So what can you do to keep the relationship connections going, even if the world is pulling you in all sorts of directions?

Here are some ideas to stay connected:

Set aside a specific time during the week that you plan to call or get together with friends/family. Work it into your schedule so that you know it is part of the agenda you plan to keep.
If you struggle with remembering plans you’ve made, set a reminder for yourself. Make a note and keep it somewhere it can be easily seen, or set an alarm on your phone for the date.
Have the other person contact you! If it’s difficult to remember to reach out, request to have that person reach out to you.
If something occurs that interferes with your plans, make an effort to reschedule it as soon as possible; that way, it’s already planned for another time.

How do you stay connected?

Relationships

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Angel Blair

“It seems essential, in relationships and all tasks, that we concentrate only on what is most significant and important.”

– Soren Kierkegaard

Relationships have the capacity to be great. They can be fun, comforting, reliable, and strong. I think most of us would agree that while relationships can be wonderful, they can also be challenging at times, just like anything else. Any relationship, no matter the connection—spouse, significant other, parent-child, sibling, friend—each comes with its own benefits and struggles. I know that I can definitely bump heads with my mother from time-to-time on any kind of issue, but I suppose it comes with the territory.

I think that all of us, at one time or another, like to think that we can do everything on our own—to be independent from others so that we can show ourselves what we are capable of. But I believe it’s part of human nature to seek out connections, to find comfort and dependability in another being so that we can feel a part of something bigger. What do you look for in your relationships with others? What helps you make those connections?

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