Love is not something that we can earn, purchase or acquire. Love is not a gift from someone; it’s something that we each possess regardless of our position in life. Love transcends a range of positive and powerful emotional and physical states, from our most sublime moral virtue or ideal to the most mundane joy. It is the state of being totally present with another person that is most pure and real, no matter what their difference in gender, race, ethnicity or circumstance. It is the state of mind that allows for love to move to the highest level.
Most of us would define love the way we know it: as a profound and unyielding commitment to another person, with whom we share our physical intimacy. Yet we all have room to explore five more love languages. The first is visual affection; this involves feelings of warmth, cuddling and physical touch that stem from a relationship that has lasted several months. This quality time could involve watching television together, playing a game or just spending time snuggling up on the couch.
The second love language is verbal affection. It involves talking and listening with one another on a regular basis, sharing thoughts and experiences, even jokes. During this time, you’ll also likely exchange gifts with one another such as poems or music. If you find this type of relationship to be satisfying and long-lasting, you should pursue it persistently for the benefits it provides.
The third of the love languages, physical touch is what most of us are familiar with when we speak of relationships. However, there are additional forms of physical touch. Feeling and being held hands, hugging, kissing and even touching through other means are common pitfalls to avoid when you want to express love. You might want to hold back from these types of physical interactions if you aren’t getting the kind of satisfaction out of them that you want.
Finally, there’s the affection shared by those with mutual giving. While this form of love is often seen as superficial or shallow, it can actually be very fulfilling over time. This kind of affection exists between family members, friends, co-workers and even romantic partners. When feelings of love and concern for another person begin to develop, they may begin to share their personal feelings and their individual thoughts in an effort to connect with each other. However, you need to remember that this kind of connection will not be something that becomes fixed in a single day; it must be nurtured and cared for on a daily basis if it is to survive over the course of a lifetime.
When you are in a long-term romantic relationship, you’re likely to be exchanging thoughts, words and feelings with your partner on a daily basis. If you think that these kinds of interaction are negative or don’t contribute to a long-term healthy relationship, then you’re probably headed in the wrong direction. On the other hand, if you feel that these kinds of interactions are essential to your emotional well-being, you have a strong case. Regardless of how many negative thoughts and feelings you’re having, it’s important to remember that there is always room for improvement. You can make a huge difference in your romantic relationships, simply by knowing how to nurture and care for one another on a daily basis. If you take the time to listen to your partner’s needs and desires, you will find yourself developing a strong, loving relationship that will last for years to come.
