June 23, 2012

The 5 Languages of Love



I was checking out the New York Times Best Seller's list recently and came upon the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, which has been on the best advice list for a whopping 255 weeks now. This of course peaked my interest and I went searching for what all the hoopla is about.

Well I will say this: Boy can we learn a lot in a short amount of time! Not just about ourselves but about all those around us. As Chapman's title explains, people show their love in basically 5 different ways. The critical thing to realize, however, is that not every couple shares the same primary love language. This is where, shall I say, the "He/she just doesn't get me!" might begin to take root, and where our "love tank" tends to feel a bit empty- which, is not helpful at all in our quest to age gracefully :-(

The Five Languages of Love is basically about zeroing in on what makes us feel loved and what makes our partner feel loved. Sounds easy enough.

So the 5 love languages are:

- Words of affirmation: such as "Gee honey, you look nice tonight,." or simply "I love you."

- Gift giving: in all cultures people give gifts as expressions of love (and of course for a lot of other reasons).

- Acts of service: doing things for each other- includes doing things around the house.

-Quality time: when our partner gives their undivided attention.

-Physical touch. Not just sex, but simple things like holding hands, rubbing a shoulder, or touching feet in the middle of the night.

I think I tend to show my love most with acts of service and physical touch. It's also what I probably do best. It's also what I like to do. But, I feel the most loved when I receive undivided attention and physical touch (do all youngest children say this I wonder?). Words of affirmation and gifts don't do a lot for me usually, not that I don't enjoy them. I think that hearing "I love you" or "You look nice" can begin to sound a bit empty if the other 4 languages are slacking (actions speak louder than words). Plus, I am not very materialistic. But acts of service are important to me as well. It makes me happy when things are done around the house or for me. It feels like we're nesting. It makes me feel like we are a unit or a "we", as I have often described it.

I can see how Chapman's concept can carry over and be very helpful in our relationships with people besides our partners, especially our children. I ran the list by my younger daughter and she was quickly able to tell me which languages of love fill her "love tank" the most.

In the end though I think that one of the most important languages of love isn't even listed above. One of the things that makes me feel most loved is when I really enjoy simply talking with someone- when there is synergy between us and we basically just appreciate each others company while discussing everything from the minutia in life to the bigger picture, whatever it is. It's about hanging with people who make us happy. In our crazy, busy, mixed-up world this isn't always easy to find.

 But when we do, it is simply golden.


June 13, 2012

Aging Gracefully with Sound Advice


This week's beauty is Dr. Cheryl Townsend Winter, who is 61 years old. Cheryl is a retired periodontist who is reinventing herself by writing a book on aging called "The Aging Gracefully Pathway: A Toolkit for the Journey."  Cheryl explains that the connection between being a periodontist and writing a book on aging is that structurally the gums are the same as skin and that there are many linkages between gum disease and aging/serious systemic diseases.

Further, Cheryl explains that the major categories of aging are:
  • Taking care of the external body: includes skin care, hair, posture, grooming, and figure.
  • Taking care of the internal body: includes brain, internal workings, what we eat, how we sleep, rest & relax, and how we exercise the body.
  • Taking care of the spirit/soul: includes attitude, aspirations, inspirations, etc.


"The Aging Gracefully Pathway: A Toolkit for the Journey" has over 100 tips but here is a little preview:
 
  • Sugar and refined foods may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
  •  AGE’s (advanced glycation end-products) cause most degenerative diseases and wrinkles.
  •  Antioxidants from diet play a leading role in preventing age-related diseases.
  • Cinnamon reduces blood sugar levels, reduces AGE’s, is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and the scent enhances cognitive processing including attention, memory, and visual-motor speed (Ageless Face, Ageless Mind).
  • “Training on an empty stomach turns on some interesting genetic machinery that is important not only in fat loss but also longevity.” (The Paleo Solution).
  • The spice turmeric has anti-cancer and anti-Alzheimer’s properties. (Ageless Face, Ageless Mind).

Thank you Cheryl for being this week's beauty. I wish you luck with the book. Please stop in and let us know when it is on the shelves.


June 07, 2012

Precious Life


While away this past week with my girlfriends from high school, we took a day trip to Charleston, SC. What a place. Be still my heart. It reminded me of Boston actually with it's wonderful historical homes near the sea, but with lovely southern charm, and minus all the crazy drivers. After lunch at the Fast and French Gaulart and Maliclet Cafe (oh-la-la) we took a stroll around in the heat of day and came upon a walkway that beckoned us in. It was a cobblestone trail through a very old cemetery, alongside an old church. I felt like I was in fairy land. What caught my attention the most was a plaque with the above quote by one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver. I thought I would share it with you now.

I don't know about you, but when I read something like this, especially now at mid-life, it makes me stop in my tracks.

In a good way.