Ways To Love

    Love isn't a feeling like joy, sadness, or anger; it is an action. In fact, there are 5 different ways to give and receive love. Acts of service, quality time, words of affirmation, physical touch, and gifts. Every act can be categorized into at least one of these groups (or languages). Each of us respond differently to these types of love languages. Typically, the way we give love is the way we like to receive it. So if I like when people affirm me, I'm going to compliment others to express my love. But why is this useful?
    We enjoy receiving many types of love, but some are more effective than others. For example, my mom's love language is acts of service. When I want to show her love, the most affective way is to do an act of service like wash the dishes, get her oil changed, check her tire pressure, etc. She receives this act of love better than if I gave her a gift or complimented her. That doesn't mean that she doesn't feel loved when receiving gifts or compliments, just that acts of service is the most effective.
    If you want to date someone, find out their love language. If it's physical touch, you can pat them on the back, nudge, high five, or hug him/her and as long as they're not repulsed by you, they will enjoy your presence because they experience love around you. If they like words of affirmation, compliment their attire, hair, ideas, smile, etc.
    Knowing your love language and those around you can really assist you when building relationships. It's like having a cheat code in life. Even Christ has primary love languages...what do you think they are? Read the Gospels to find the answer.