Talk is cheap when it comes to love. You can say “I
Love You” a million times but you have to back it up with action to show
that you mean it. Good thing there are more than a hundred ways to show
love to someone and mean it with all your heart. As you proceed with
the suggestions below, keep in mind that small or large gestures of
kindness and compassion all equate to showing love.
- Love someone’s flaws. When you truly want to love a person with all your heart, you love even that person’s less-than-thrilling side a.k.a. flaws. Sure he leaves his stuff on the floor and forgets to put the toilet seat down but that’s who he is. You certainly have quirks of your own that can get on his nerves, too, right?
- Let go of grudges and don’t be ashamed to apologize. If someone has caused you pain, you are entitled to process the pain until you’re ready to let it go. Once you’re ready, forget about the grudge immediately and if needed, apologize if you know you had done something to hurt another person. It takes a lot to say you’re sorry but when you love someone, you’ll learn to swallow your pride and apologize with all your heart.
- Take the time to choose gifts. People in this day and age are always in a hurry to get things done. If you belong to this generation and find yourself always doing things in a hurry, stop right now! When it comes to showing love through gift-giving, you must take the thoughtful time it will take to choose a gift that will make someone really happy and loved. If you can’t give a gift chosen out of careful thought and love, don’t bother giving it at all. It’s insulting for the receiver.
- Give lots of hugs. The power of touch has a tremendous healing power and hugging is a great way to show you love someone. As you give hugs, don’t hold back against receiving hugs yourself.
- Show respect. To your parents, kids, friends, relatives, neighbors, colleagues, and other people you meet along this adventure called life. How do you show respect? By choosing your words carefully so as not to offend or hurt and through your facial expressions e.g. smiling and holding someone’s hand in reassurance.
- Do something nice for people. Anyone you know needs help with something: food, clothes, medication, errands, home repairs, and you have the time to help out or contribute something, do not hesitate to give a helping hand.
- Kiss wherever. When you’re with someone you love and you want to show affection by kissing that person, go right ahead. What if you’re in a restaurant or walking down the street? Not a problem for as long as you can keep the kiss short and sweet (like a smack on the lips). Keep the passionate kisses to when it’s just you and the person you love.
- Hold hands. While walking with your dad, mom, sibling, boyfriend/girlfriend, or husband/wife go and take that person’s hand. It’s a simple gesture that shows love.
Really, anything that you do out of sincerity equates to love. As the
Jesus Christ himself said in the gospel, “Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no
records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the
truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always
perseveres. Love never fails...and now these three remain: faith, hope
and love. But the greatest of these is love.”