Relationships Information

Great Relationship Advice: Declaration or Demonstration


Q: Could you help us settle a growing conflict in our marriage? I always tell my wife I love her and would do anything in the world for her. That doesn't seem to do it for her. In fact, her response usually is, "talk is cheap. I want you to show me that you love me." I'm not sure what she means, and I need to figure it out fast.

I think I might know where you are stuck. You see, there is a huge difference between declaration and demonstration. In my experience, most men have not made that important distinction, while most women see it as very obvious.

Saying the words "I love you", "You're the most important thing in my life", etc. is a wonderful thing to do. And sometimes it's even enough, especially if your partner's love language is hearing. But if your partner's love language is seeing, (as I'm guessing hers is), talking alone just won't do it.

One of the many places I lived growing up was on the Kansas/Missouri border. In Missouri they have a saying called "show me." I don't know if your wife is from Missouri or not, but it sounds like she is saying "don't just tell, show me!"

The good news is that while most of us men are fairly slow with this stuff, we are trainable. Here's three steps to putting some hands and feet on this declaration vs. demonstration idea:

1) Pay attention - notice what your partner is interested in and talking about.

2) Think ahead - anticipate future needs and take the necessary actions to meet them.

3) Ask your partner these very simple, yet profound questions:

"what does love look like to you?" What you may think it looks like may be way different from what it looks like to her.

"what are three things I need to do on a regular basis to show that I love you?"

"what are three things I need to not do to show you that I love you?"

Whatever the answers, you have the beginning of a map on how to do this demonstration thing.

Remember, declaration is not demonstration. Trying is not doing. Doing is doing. So go do!

Visit SecretsofGreatRelationships.com for tips and tools for creating and growing a great relationship. You can also subscribe to our f*r*e*e 10 day e-program on how to enrich your relationship today, from relationship coach and expert Jeff Herring.


MORE RESOURCES:

Current World News

Cleveland Clinic to Reveal Docs' Financial Ties
ABC News - 11 hours ago
"Since many of us have relationships with industry to help foster new and improved products and drugs, we thought we could eliminate potential conflicts of ...
Cleveland Clinic Discloses Doctors’ Industry Ties New York Times
Cleveland Clinic Begins Public Disclosure of Physician-Industry ... Kaiser network.org
Cleveland Clinic puts pharma payments online FiercePharma
NPR - Scientific American
all 137 news articles


ComEd Credit and Leasing Agreements Extend Relationships With ...
MarketWatch - Dec 3, 2008
"They allow ComEd and Exelon to demonstrate commitment to diversity and inclusion in all of our business relationships, and provide major transactions that ...


Examiner.com

Relationships in the news: arrest made in the Jennifer Hudson ...
Examiner.com - Dec 3, 2008
by Debra Collins, Relationship Examiner William Balfour, estranged husband of Hudson's sister, was arrested yesterday by Chicago police as the prime suspect ...


Too Much Commitment May Be Unhealthy For Relationships, Professor Says
Science Daily (press release) - Dec 2, 2008
2, 2008) — Romantic relationships establish special bonds between partners. Oftentimes, passionate rapport leads to permanent partnerships, and ultimately, ...


Boundless Networks makes another buy, this one local
Bizjournals.com, NC - 6 hours ago
Boundless CEO Jason Black says the acquisition is a win for both firms—giving Boundless access to Customer Solutions slate of relationships with top brands ...


The Money Times

Anne Heche, James Tupper Expecting Baby
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 6 hours ago
By ERIN FOX The pair first met back in 2006 on the set of the romantic dramedy, Men in Trees, while both were involved in other relationships. ...
Heche Is Preggers PerezHilton.com
Anne Heche and 'Man in Trees' Expecting Popeater
Anne Heche and Stubbly Dude from Men in Trees Expecting a Baby... Dose.ca
The Money Times
all 78 news articles


Specialties: Deceased loved ones, Destiny/life path, Love ...
California Psychics, CA - 3 hours ago
She specializes in relationships, career and life destiny, with an emphasis on healing the emotional body and empowering women. She can tell you about your ...


Over Commitment Can Be Bad For Relationships
WTVW, IN - 8 hours ago
That's according to a new study that suggests men and women who put too much emotional weight on their relationship may end up basing their self-worth ...


Bank of America Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2008 ...
CNNMoney.com (press release) - Dec 3, 2008
The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 59 million consumer and small business relationships with more than 6100 ...


A Rough Patch for the US PV Market; Building Relationships to ...
RenewableEnergyWorld.com, NH - 8 hours ago
by Stephen Lacey, Podcast Editor With the recent eight-year extension of the Investment Tax Credit for solar, many professionals are predicting rapid growth ...

Relationships - Google News

home | site map
© 2006