Showing empathy is one of the quickest ways to connect with someone on an emotional level. There are three types of empathy, but they don't just happen, they need to be purposefully created one conversation at a time.
Humility in Marriage
Humility is one of the foundations of marriages that last. There are a number of qualities that are produced by humility. You can ask yourself… Am I patient with my spouse? Am I willing to serve them? Am I open to correction?
Humility results in tenderness and emotional intimacy in marriage and can lead to a better life.
Leveraging off your differences
Often in marriage we find ourselves loathing the very thing that attracted us to our spouse and the very thing we used to like. We don’t appreciate it any more. To leverage this situation you express your needs where those differences are now irking you or irritating you.
Differences can actually strengthen a marriage. The key is to appreciate your differences and express your needs.
How listening impacts people
Research has shown that people who listen make you feel more significant as a person. The effect also lasts after you have left their presence. It is so easy to have a positive impact even if you don’t know what questions to ask. In the context of marriage when your spouse leaves your presence after being listened to they feel boosted. They feel significant, they feel a great sense of worth and they feel more secure.
Do you know what your love languages are?
Have you heard of “The Five Love Languages”, by Dr. Gary Chapman? As I counsel couples I have found that couples benefit from understanding two key concepts. First of all, you have a love tank. Secondly, you fill love tanks by using the five love languages. Give thought to what your love languages are and what the love languages are of your loved ones. Doing so has the power to dramatically improve the quality of your relationships.
Handling Conflict
Do you know what your conflict handling style is and when it is best to use it? We all differ in how we handle conflict and tend to favour one style in particular. Competing, accommodating, avoiding, collaborating and compromising are all useful in certain situations and destructive in others. For example, competing is effective when quick, decisive action is needed but if used inappropriately it can result in reduced communication, damaged relationships and low levels of commitment from the other person.
