Love in Five Dialects: Mastering Your Love Language
A story about discovering your love language to build your relationship with yourself and people
We are different for a reason the way I feel connected to someone is not the way another person will. We must all learn what makes us feel valued, loved, and appreciated. Learning your love language is one of the most critical gifts you can give to yourself.
I have believed for a long time that it is difficult for someone to love a person the way that individual desires if the giver of that love does not love themselves. I understand that is a lot to digest but I also realize you can’t give someone something you don’t possess.
This thing called love comes in many shapes, sizes and experiences and I believe most do the best they can with the tools they have been given or acquire along the way. With that said I have learned a great deal about “Love Languages” from one of my favorite relationship authors Dr. Gary Chapman.
I appreciate Mr. Chapman because he expresses through the love language that each person has a different way of receiving and giving love. I would dare not try to put another spin on what Chapman has conveyed. I will however say it the way I want to express it to my audience. I have added a Love Language questionnaire available here, it is a zip file.
I cannot speak for anyone else but February reminds me of Valentine’s Day and Black History Month. I will say Valentine’s Day reminded me of romantic love until I became a parent and now a grandparent. I had no idea I was limiting my knowledge or expression of love.
I have also learned that celebrating those who bring you joy is another form of love that cannot be put in a box, those whom you are not related to but have walked as friends on the journey of life with you.
I digress to say that love is vast and it can be expressed in many ways to those who come down your path. I will say that in this story I will cover “Words Of Affirmation. The concept of the “Five Love Languages” was introduced by Dr. Gary Chapman in his book “The Five Love Languages:
How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate.” According to Chapman, people have different ways of expressing and receiving love. The five love languages are:
Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time and Physical Touch. ASI said earlier Words of Affirmation will be the one I’m covering in this story. People with this love language value verbal expressions of love and appreciation. Compliments, words of encouragement, and positive affirmations are meaningful to them.
What people seldom think about is those whose love language is Words of Affirmation not only express their love in this way but also look for it to be reciprocated the same way. Sometimes they don’t understand that those they are in a romantic or family relationship may express their love language differently.
I will say it’s a lot of moving parts when you look at the love languages. However for clarity, this story will focus on how you like to receive love, do you know your love language? has it changed because you have changed? do you have one or two love languages and one is more dominant than the other?
The points are relevant because they assist you in knowing who you are and who you are not. And it’s a relief in many ways when you understand the way you feel valued, and loved.
I have learned it takes the guessing out of any relationship. I know many may think romantically hopefully this story can applied to business, children, family connections and friendships. We can be this and that and not limit ourselves.
Thank you for reading.
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