I’d like to talk about 7 ways to express your love, the importance of loving and warm relationships in your life. Like other feelings, expressing love takes practice. However, feeling and showing love can make a huge difference in our lives. It’s important to remember that love comes in many forms. We can love our pets , our relatives, our friends, and our partners. Many people believe that love can solve many problems. As has been sung many times, “love makes the world go round.” In essence, it’s a universal language.
Each of us probably has a different definition of love. In romantic love, there’s a magic that happens between two people. In his classic book, The Art of Loving, psychologist Erich Fromm writes about the magic of two strangers meeting, and suddenly, the wall between them crumbles, resulting in a sudden closeness and unity. This is “one of the most exciting experiences in life,” he says (p. 3).
Those who have experienced this feeling know that there is a magical connection when you are with the right person. It may seem as if the rest of the world is disappearing. The person you are with is your world for the time you are together, and everything seems easier. While it may feel like a momentary, passing state of mind, the truth is that it is often a long-term state of mind. As writer and psychologist Melanie Greenberg (2013) says, there is something special about the feeling of two hearts beating in unison. In that moment, there is a deep connection in which you are moved by the other person’s personality and inspired to make them feel good. Overall, there is a profound sense of caring.
Whether you’re in a romantic relationship or not, it’s always a good time to honor the concept of love by creating and nurturing the abundant love in your life. My father-in-law, who has 12 children, often speaks of his mother’s love, saying, “The more she loved, the greater her capacity to love.” Love breeds love and is, indeed, contagious.
Here are seven ways to express your love:
- Offer the gift of listening. Focus on others and hear what they’re really saying. Remember the 80/20 rule: listen more, talk less. This allows others to share and gives you the opportunity to hear their feelings.
- Say please and thank you. This is a simple act you can practice every day, but many of us often forget to do it. It can make a huge difference in our lives.
- Tell your loved ones how much you love and appreciate them. A little love goes a long way. Many of us are guilty of taking people for granted, so it’s good to acknowledge those who have impacted our lives and those we couldn’t live without.
- Offer help to someone in need. There’s always someone who needs something. Helping others is often a way to feel good, too. The person you help could be a close friend, neighbor, an older adult, or a person with disabilities.
- Write a letter or send a card to someone you love. You’d be surprised how much people appreciate this gesture. Many of us have gotten into the habit of sending emails exclusively, so it’s especially nice to receive a note in the mail.
- Write a poem of gratitude for your loved ones. For some people, writing a poem is easier than for others. You can start by making a list of the reasons why you love these individuals. You can also recall how you met them and what you hope your future together will look like. Also, consider reading love poems by the Sufi poet Rumi, Leonard Cohen, or others.
- Practice the art of forgiveness . We often have minor arguments with our loved ones, but as they say, “pick your battles.” Try to release your anger and frustration so you can adopt a more positive attitude.