• communication involves the message, the speaker, and the listener
• building intimacy in marriage involves hearing each otheros experiences, thoughts, feelings, and desires
The importance of talking
• telling each other our thoughts and feelings
• may have been taught to hide feelings during upbringing
• will take courage and practice to re-Iearn how to talk about feelings
• some have difficultu recognizing what they are feeling (if this describes you, please see the optional homework exercise: Identifying Emotions)
Question:Complete the worksheet under "Extras -> Study Guide"
make your husband or wife feel like the most important person in the world to you
focus on what you like and admire about your partner
express gratitude for what your partner does
show appreciation for who your partner is
make it a daily discipline
Write down six things you appreciate about your husband or wife. (Be specific: it may be thanking them for what they do, or it may be expressing your appreciation for who they are-try to make it a mixture looking particularly for things you may have come to take for granted)
When you have both finished, show each other what you have put.
You may wish to use the worksheet below for this question: