Greetings!
So here they are ( drum roll, please!):
1. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, Ph.D.
2. Mindful Loving by Henry Grayson, Ph.D.
3. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Blessings,
Kathryn A. R. James, MFT
www.kjamesmft.com
May's blog will be a recommendation blog on three great reads that I often recommend to friends, colleagues, people at the cafe, and clients. The reason I recommend them is that they have all had a profound, positive effect on my life and other readers of these books have declared the same.
So here they are ( drum roll, please!):
1. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, Ph.D.
2. Mindful Loving by Henry Grayson, Ph.D.
3. Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Gary Chapman's The Five Love Languages breaks down the five basic ways that we feel, receive, and give love to a partner. After years of interviewing thousands of couples, Dr. Chapman came up with these 5 "languages," which are words of affirmation, physical affection, spending quality time, acts of service, and gift giving.
"Words of affirmation" can be sayings like "I love your smile" or "you are so lovable" even cards or love letter will do. "Physical affection" is doing just that - being affectionate physically but beyond sex! Hand holding, caressing someone's hair, kissing, rubbing someone's back, etc.. Again, it is not JUST sex.
"Spending quality time" is just like it sounds - spending time by doing activities together such as trying out a new restaurant, playing a game, or going on a day trip while "acts of service" occur when a partner does their partner a favor such as the laundry or getting the car serviced. Finally, "gift giving" is showcased through receiving gifts which do not have to be elaborate or expensive, but can be small, sentimental things.
Chapman provides a language assessment to readers and provides steps in how to speak other love languages to readers. He also explains how his methods have been imperially proven. (Please note that Chapman does write from a Christan perspective but is revered by those from all backgrounds.)
Dr. Henry Grayson, a practicing psychologist from New York City, is the author of Mindful Loving- 10 Practices for Creating Deeper Connections. Grayson has a doctorate in psychology and theology and is a life long student of physics. Grayson's iconic work Mindful Loving challenges every day thoughts and beliefs about love in particular the "falling in love" syndrome and also provides how to achieve a more fulfilling relationship with others and especially yourself.
On a personal note, Grayson's Mindful Loving found me and changed my life dramatically for the better and came at the time when I needed a big change in my thoughts and beliefs about relationships with everyone. I call his book "on the read list of life." I have since attended several trainings by him and have witnessed that he practices what he preaches! I will not go into further detail about Mindful Loving but instead shout- READ THIS!
As my third summer read, I recommend the New York Times bestseller Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert which is an autobiography of the writer's experiences and life lessons learned in Italy, India, and Indonesia. Gilbert is a New York married woman who goes into existential crisis when she decides her married, suburban life is not how she envisioned her life nor is it at all satisfying. After getting a divorce, she decides to travel a year to Italy to learn the language and to eat freely, then onto India to study with her guru, and then to Indonesia to teach a Medicine Man English. We journey with Gilbert to these beautiful places and learn how she discovers that there is so much more than this. And as a reader, you may ask yourself, "How can I discover and feel that there is so much more than this and I am truly living the life that I envisioned?"
"Words of affirmation" can be sayings like "I love your smile" or "you are so lovable" even cards or love letter will do. "Physical affection" is doing just that - being affectionate physically but beyond sex! Hand holding, caressing someone's hair, kissing, rubbing someone's back, etc.. Again, it is not JUST sex.
"Spending quality time" is just like it sounds - spending time by doing activities together such as trying out a new restaurant, playing a game, or going on a day trip while "acts of service" occur when a partner does their partner a favor such as the laundry or getting the car serviced. Finally, "gift giving" is showcased through receiving gifts which do not have to be elaborate or expensive, but can be small, sentimental things.
Chapman provides a language assessment to readers and provides steps in how to speak other love languages to readers. He also explains how his methods have been imperially proven. (Please note that Chapman does write from a Christan perspective but is revered by those from all backgrounds.)
Dr. Henry Grayson, a practicing psychologist from New York City, is the author of Mindful Loving- 10 Practices for Creating Deeper Connections. Grayson has a doctorate in psychology and theology and is a life long student of physics. Grayson's iconic work Mindful Loving challenges every day thoughts and beliefs about love in particular the "falling in love" syndrome and also provides how to achieve a more fulfilling relationship with others and especially yourself.
On a personal note, Grayson's Mindful Loving found me and changed my life dramatically for the better and came at the time when I needed a big change in my thoughts and beliefs about relationships with everyone. I call his book "on the read list of life." I have since attended several trainings by him and have witnessed that he practices what he preaches! I will not go into further detail about Mindful Loving but instead shout- READ THIS!
As my third summer read, I recommend the New York Times bestseller Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert which is an autobiography of the writer's experiences and life lessons learned in Italy, India, and Indonesia. Gilbert is a New York married woman who goes into existential crisis when she decides her married, suburban life is not how she envisioned her life nor is it at all satisfying. After getting a divorce, she decides to travel a year to Italy to learn the language and to eat freely, then onto India to study with her guru, and then to Indonesia to teach a Medicine Man English. We journey with Gilbert to these beautiful places and learn how she discovers that there is so much more than this. And as a reader, you may ask yourself, "How can I discover and feel that there is so much more than this and I am truly living the life that I envisioned?"
I hope that you will consider each book that I have recommended and all are available on Amazon which you may access from my blog. The Kindle versions are available as well. I also hope that from each read you will come away with more self insight and techniques to apply to your life and to your relationships with others. Thank you for your support and please pass along to others. Remember this blog is for you! You may reach me at 415.244.5590 or kjamesmft.gmail.com.
Blessings,
Kathryn A. R. James, MFT
www.kjamesmft.com
