LOVE: ONLY THE STRONG

To Love takes Courage

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“Love was a leap into the unknown, not a cautious dipping of the toe.” Martina Boone

The word courage has a Latin root, cor, which means heart. The heart has long been a metaphor used to depict inner strength. And I’m not sure if there’s anything that requires more courage and inner strength these days than to love.

To open your heart to someone, knowing that it might get broken.

To share your deepest needs and desires, not knowing if they will be met.

To love, even when that act of love may not be reciprocated, at least not in the same way it was given.

It feels like a leap of faith to love someone deeply. There are no guarantees. And yes, sometimes love hurts. That’s why love takes courage.

Here’s what being courageous in love can look like:

Saying I love you…and meaning it.

Being the one to initiate a hug or a touch.

Forgiving without anyone asking to be forgiven.

Having the difficult conversations.

Being vulnerable.

Telling our partners what we need to feel loved, fulfilled and cared for.

Sharing our dreams… and fears.

Feeling our emotions (rather than stuffing them down or running from them).

Being honest…mostly with ourselves.

Setting healthy boundaries.

Remaining in our own business and taking responsibility for what is ours.

Even…walking away in love when the relationship is complete.

Asking for help when you don’t know the answers.

To love takes courage. Love requires inner strength. Sometimes love asks a lot of us, more than we think we have available to give. But I am willing be as courageous as I need to be, because the alternative – to close myself off from love out of fear – isn’t a viable option or one I’m willing to embrace.

Written by Sharon Pope. Article reprinted from sharonpopetruth.com

 

 

 

 

LOVE IN ACTION

Steps to strengthen your bond!

 

Don’t bad mouth your spouse in front of your children or anyone else. Enough said.

Invest in friendships and group activities that support your marriage and avoid those that don’t. If a friend, either married or single, discourages you in the area of your marriage, it’s time to rethink how much time you spend with that friend.

 

Thank your spouse for what he/she does to support you and your family. Respect and affirm him/her. We all like to be appreciated and know that what we do doesn’t go unnoticed. An attitude of gratitude creates a positive environment.

Date your spouse (get away when you can). Date nights can keep you connected as a couple, which is especially good if you have busy schedules and/or kids. Trips away as a couple are great too.

Keep a couples’ journal. Write love notes back and forth to each other in a journal. This is especially good if either of you has trouble openly expressing your feelings.

Let your kids know your spouse comes first and that you are a team. It’s important for your children to see that your relationship with your spouse is a priority. You were together before they arrived, and you should be together when they’re grown with families of their own.

Set phone reminders. If you have a smartphone or smartwatch, set alarms that remind you to pray for or text your husband when you’re apart.