Dare:
Get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.
I could really use some group therapy right now.
I'll share with you some of the things on my positive things list later.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Love Dare, Day 6: Love is Not Irritable
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. ---Proverbs 16:32
Dare:
Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.
A loving wife is not overly sensitive or cranky but exercises emotional self-control. She chooses to e a flower among the thorns and respond pleasantly during prickly situations. (Pg. 26, The Love Dare)
Dare:
Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation.
A loving wife is not overly sensitive or cranky but exercises emotional self-control. She chooses to e a flower among the thorns and respond pleasantly during prickly situations. (Pg. 26, The Love Dare)
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Love Dare, Day 4: Love is Thoughtful
Dare 4:
Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Love Dare, Day 4: Love is Not Selfish
Dare:
Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become more important to you. It's hard to care for something you are on investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."
Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become more important to you. It's hard to care for something you are on investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, "I was thinking of you today."
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Love Dare, Day 3 (For Sunday) : Love is Not Rude
(I have skipped to day 5's dare for Sunday because dares 3 & 4 are better suited for regular work days. We will go back to them on Monday and Tuesday).
I'm going to quote a little from the book here to help guide our handling of today's dare:
Ask yourself these questions:
How deos your spouse feel about the way you speak and act around them?
How does your behavior affect your mates's sense of worth and self-esteem?
Would your husband or wife say you're a blessing, or that you're condescending and embarrassing?
If you're thingking that your spouse--notyou--is the one who needs work in this area, you're likely suffering from a bad case of ignorance, with a secondary condition of selfishness...Do you wish your spouse would quit doing the things that bother you? Then it's time to stop doing the things that bother them.
Here are three guiding principles when it comes to practicing etiquette in your marriage:
1) Guard the Golden Rule. Treat your mate the same way you want to be treated.
2) No double standards. Be as considerate to your spouse as you are to strangers and coworkers.
3) Honor requests. Consider what your husband of wife already asked you to do or not do. If in doubt, then ask.
(page 22 and 23 of book)
I don't know if any of you have husbands like mine, but mine is very unlikely to answer this question. In fact, if he does answer the question honestly, he'll probably say, "It really irritates me and makes me uncomfortable when you ask me these questions." I suggest that for those of us in this situation, it may be beneficial to just leave a little note asking these questions--then our husbands can choose not to answer the questions if they prefer not to, and there is a lesser chance of us becoming defensive. Do any of you have any other suggestions with this dare?
I'm going to quote a little from the book here to help guide our handling of today's dare:
Ask yourself these questions:
How deos your spouse feel about the way you speak and act around them?
How does your behavior affect your mates's sense of worth and self-esteem?
Would your husband or wife say you're a blessing, or that you're condescending and embarrassing?
If you're thingking that your spouse--notyou--is the one who needs work in this area, you're likely suffering from a bad case of ignorance, with a secondary condition of selfishness...Do you wish your spouse would quit doing the things that bother you? Then it's time to stop doing the things that bother them.
Here are three guiding principles when it comes to practicing etiquette in your marriage:
1) Guard the Golden Rule. Treat your mate the same way you want to be treated.
2) No double standards. Be as considerate to your spouse as you are to strangers and coworkers.
3) Honor requests. Consider what your husband of wife already asked you to do or not do. If in doubt, then ask.
(page 22 and 23 of book)
Day 3 Dare:
Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.
I don't know if any of you have husbands like mine, but mine is very unlikely to answer this question. In fact, if he does answer the question honestly, he'll probably say, "It really irritates me and makes me uncomfortable when you ask me these questions." I suggest that for those of us in this situation, it may be beneficial to just leave a little note asking these questions--then our husbands can choose not to answer the questions if they prefer not to, and there is a lesser chance of us becoming defensive. Do any of you have any other suggestions with this dare?
Love Dare, Day 2: Love is Kind
In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Love Dare, Day One: Love is Patient
OK. Here goes. Let the Love Dare begin. Ahem.
Day 1: Love is patient
Today, resolve to demonstrate patience (I could really use this right now) and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.
God help us all.
Day 1: Love is patient
Today, resolve to demonstrate patience (I could really use this right now) and to say nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret.
God help us all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)