"Love thinks. It's not a mindless feeling that rides on waves of emotion and falls asleep mentally."
I like that. It's a good point about the "thoughtfulness" of love.
It's true, when you're first dating your spouse, you're thinking about them all the time. Once the woman gets her man or the man gets his woman, the hunt is off and our brains seem to relax and thoughtfulness wanes.
This chapter goes on to describe how men focus like a laser on a subject, which narrows their focus. When they communicate, they talk in headlines and "get straight to the point," but a woman classically will speak with subtle nuances and communicate "between the lines."
I like this insight:
"...a wise man will listen like a detective to discover the unspoken needs and desires her words imply. If, however, she always has to put the pieces together for him, it steals the opportunity for him to demonstrate that he loves her."
There's a few words about how sometimes guys can let anger get the best of them and, when communicating, going through a "ready, fire, aim" process and deal with the consequences later. Not good.
"The thoughtful nature of love teaches you to engage your mind before engaging your lips. Love thinks before speaking. It filters words through a grid of truth and kindness."
I'm reminded of Don Miller's words about the difference between truth and meaning. Spouting off a bunch of facts about a woman might not impress her; but telling her how/what those characteristics or obsersvations mean to you might...
Today's Dare:
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.