Express Love using Uplifting words of Affirmation
Have you heard of the Greek philosopher Xenophon, one of Socrates's students? Most people haven't, but he said something that still rings true today: praise is the sweetest of all sounds. Words of admiration, praise and encouragement – nothing is sweeter.
In fact, this is the idea behind the love language that's called words of affirmation. Here's how to speak it:
Give verbal compliments. This is most effective when done in a simple and straightforward manner; various encouraging, kind and humble words are all part of the words-of-affirmation language. For instance, you might tell your partner that they look great in a new outfit, praise their ability to care for your children or tell them how much you appreciate their sense of humor.
But if you want to broaden your vocabulary, you can keep a notebook in which you write down various affirming words you come across, whether in newspapers and magazines, on TV or in conversation with friends.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that words of affirmation can function beautifully as requests. However, when requests are heard as demands, the potential for intimacy deflates and you risk scaring your partner off. So, it's important to make sure your words are interpreted as a request, meaning you're giving guidance, not an ultimatum.
For example, one day a woman entered the author's office complaining that her husband hadn't painted their bedroom even though she had been asking him to do so for nine months!
The author's advice?
He told her to stop mentioning the painting and start complimenting her husband every time he did something that she liked. She was skeptical but followed the author's guidance and a mere three weeks later she told him it had worked. The trick was learning that giving verbal compliments is a much better incentive than making biting criticisms.
Express Love using Uplifting words of Affirmation
Have you heard of the Greek philosopher Xenophon, one of Socrates's students? Most people haven't, but he said something that still rings true today: praise is the sweetest of all sounds. Words of admiration, praise and encouragement – nothing is sweeter.
In fact, this is the idea behind the love language that's called words of affirmation. Here's how to speak it:
Give verbal compliments. This is most effective when done in a simple and straightforward manner; various encouraging, kind and humble words are all part of the words-of-affirmation language. For instance, you might tell your partner that they look great in a new outfit, praise their ability to care for your children or tell them how much you appreciate their sense of humor.
But if you want to broaden your vocabulary, you can keep a notebook in which you write down various affirming words you come across, whether in newspapers and magazines, on TV or in conversation with friends.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that words of affirmation can function beautifully as requests. However, when requests are heard as demands, the potential for intimacy deflates and you risk scaring your partner off. So, it's important to make sure your words are interpreted as a request, meaning you're giving guidance, not an ultimatum.
For example, one day a woman entered the author's office complaining that her husband hadn't painted their bedroom even though she had been asking him to do so for nine months!
The author's advice?
He told her to stop mentioning the painting and start complimenting her husband every time he did something that she liked. She was skeptical but followed the author's guidance and a mere three weeks later she told him it had worked. The trick was learning that giving verbal compliments is a much better incentive than making biting criticisms.
#ExpressLoveusingUplifting