You should all recognize this week’s featured guest blogger because a few weeks ago I wrote a little bit about how much I love her…and that I sponsor her super fantastic blog!
I am over the moon excited that April is this week’s featured guest blogger. Read her post below, and I’ll catch up with ya’ll at the end!!
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a heart for creative encouragement
if you’ve ever read the book The Five Love Languages, you know that every individual understands and accepts love in a different form. i think it is so important to understand the love languages of those closest to you to express love in a way that will benefit them in the most fulfilling fashion. love is such an encouragement and can leave a friend with a smile for days whenever they think of how they were blessed.
the basic five love languages are as follows….
quality time — not only sharing the same space at the same time together, but making the most of this time to fully interact with direct attention towards one another.
words of affirmation – quite literally, delivering from your lips encouraging words to build up another’s morale & persona.
gifts – the act of giving or receiving a token of appreciation. no matter the monetary value of the gift, hearts that speak the gift love language comprehend true appreciation of gifts.
affection — physical touch; a firm handshake, a tender hug, the tucking of loose hair behind the ear…. being physically encouraging and respectful.
acts of service — actions having required thought, planning and energy for execution in the hopes of helping or benefiting another.
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there are many online resources {in addition to the book} that will give you a much more detailed view of each of the love languages — where do you fit in? what warms you the most, shows the most love? how about your partner…. how do they accept their love from you in the most receptive manner?
for me, i am constantly encouraged and feel extremely loved by receiving gifts. i’m also very apt at expressing this love language. this is why i started a second chapter to the love & envelopes birthday girl club — a large group of girls, each sending physical cards {rather than emails} to other girls every month in celebration of her day of birth! it’s a fun way to send a paper gift & meet new friends. {ps — there’s still time to join! click here for more information}
one of my closest friends is most encouraged and loved by affection. i am very mindful to wrap her up in a meaningful hug whenever i see her. another friend of mine understands love in the form of words of affirmation — sharing strong words of her inner & outer beauty and encouraging her through phone calls and text messages are a few ways that i am able to fill her heart with the love of our friendship.
encouraging and loving one another is a simple and easy way to spread warmth through a group of friends. once you’ve figured out the best way to express such encouragement to each friend, you’ll find that it comes second nature.
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Thank you, April. That was a beautifully written piece and gave me a lot to think about with regards to how I interact with others. I’m excited to participate in the Love and Envelopes Birthday Girl Club, too! If you want to learn more about April, you can visit the blog here, follow her on Twitter and Facebook – oh, and if you’re looking for some gorgeous handmade creations, swing by her shop too!
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