Volume 17                                                                                                                              April 12, 2007

COMFORT, NURTURE, and CAREGIVING

Second in a four part series

This information about love styles and their struggle to be adequate caregivers is new material, which has recently been added to our How We Love Sexually seminar.

Hopefully, it will also be a part of the new book we will be writing soon by the same title.

For now, it is crucial that we all understand how to be better at nurturing and comforting one another, for it is a key to emotional bonding and healing.

Last week we talked about the avoider’s struggle to draw close to their spouse (or anyone significant for that matter) in an intimate manner that promotes a warm interpersonal atmosphere.

Because they have never experienced it in their own lives growing up as children, how would they ever know how to do it as an adult? 

 They can’t… so they will have to learn how to do this as an adult for God calls all of us to grow up in the underdeveloped aspect of our emotional and spiritual lives.

The German word for ambiance is “gemutlich”, a wonderfully descriptive word that connotes an inviting, comfortable, pleasurable, aesthetically pleasing setting.

When we enter into such a place, all of our senses are heightened and we begin to experience feelings of warmth and tranquility.

After a while, we find ourselves relaxed and refreshed in such a way that our spirits are more peaceful.

 Most of the times we do not want the experience to end for we would like to stay forever. 

Yet we tear ourselves away and go back to the realities of life hoping to return sometime soon.  

Do you have a place in mind?

Have you ever thought about becoming the kind of person that provides emotional gemutlich or relational ambiance that creates the same mood or feeling within those who are important to you?

 Interestingly, the New Testament contains many references to this Christian concept.

 The Apostle Paul in referring to the experience of being in the presence of some special friends said, “For they refreshed my spirit (I Corinthians 16:18).”

 This concept is the very heart of God.

As we said last week, each of the injured love styles has a different challenge in becoming the man or woman that God wants them to be to provide this kind of relational warmth to others.

  This week, let us look at the Pleaser love style … that is, those of us who tend to overly focus on the needs of others, not because they are so wonderful, but because they need to soothe their own anxiety by keeping others close. 

    Comfort, Nurture and Caregiving described:

The Pleaser:  If the general growth goal of the avoider is to initiate engagement with your spouse in the emotional, spiritual and physical arenas that are non-sexual in nature, we might say then, the goal of the pleaser will be almost the opposite.

 That is, learning to separate from others and give them space and breathing room so that they can rest from you.

 So, here are the steps I (Milan) had to work through as a recovering pleaser.

• Allow your spouse or significant other to have distance that allows for emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual difference and separation.

• Stop observing and watching them like a hawk.  Give your spouse freedom from your needy, suspicious, jealous, riveting gaze.  (Do you like driving with a police vehicle following you for a long distance?)

• Give them room to breathe and freedom to roam.  Ask them what they would enjoy doing and learn to be a supporter of their independent activities.  When they do some autonomous activity either with people or a task, enthusiastically ask them about the fun they had (without you) and celebrate with them their good time.  Encourage them to do it again. 

• Inquire how they are doing emotionally and make your questions about their well-being instead of being about you.  In other words, stop asking questions about motives and behaviors that are directly (or indirectly) an attempt to soothe your own separation anxiety and distress.  People will eventually pull away from you when you do.

• If you do have emotional distress, be honest and directly say so, and ask them to process your internal discomfort with you and go around the comfort cycle.

• Learn to give a spontaneous kiss or hug for their sake without wishing for some response in return.

• If you are concerned for their emotional well being, then ask them directly how they are doing.  Ask them if they would like to process with you and go around the comfort cycle.  If they do, allow them to answer the question, “What do you need right now?” before you start providing solutions.  One of Kay’s needs as a recovering avoider as well as being an Introvert is that after a meaningful conversation and connection, she likes to go off by herself, wander around, look for bargains or find a new book or CD at the local bookseller shop.  My feelings used to get hurt when her “recovery plans” did not include me.  I have since learned that meaningful nurturance to her allows her to have “I” time (introvert time to re-charge her batteries).

• Work on your own fears, insecurities and co-dependence issues in the workbook, prayer, Bible Study, support groups and therapy.  One of the key growth steps for me was to force myself to learn to be comfortable with solitude.  I disciplined myself to learn to be quiet and alone in a room for 5 minutes at first and then I have moved it up so that I am comfortable alone for days at a time without talking to someone.  Jesus enjoyed solitude and practiced it frequently.  We need to learn to not be afraid to be with ourselves and the feelings that arise. 

• Your reward:  Others will want to draw close to you and spend some time with you because they will feel free to depart easily when they so desire.  

Practice the following suggestions on a daily basis and you will be amazed at the difference you and your spouse will feel toward one another.  

Discussion Question: “Are there ways you distract yourself from emotional pain by hovering over others and focusing on their issues instead of squarely looking at your own fears and insecurities?"

Keep growing!

 God is willing to help you on your growing and healing journey so that your character more resembles our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

Love and blessings,
Milan and Kay

SPREAD THE WORD:

If you enjoyed our newsletter, would you please forward it to your e-mail list or send a memo out encouraging them to sign up for our weekly newsletters?  Thanks.

NEXT WEEK:

The Vacillator’s growth goals toward becoming a better nurturer and caregiver.

Many of you have asked "Milan and Kay, when are you going to be giving a seminar in MY AREA???"

While we would love to have the opportunity to meet each and every one of you and for you to learn some valuable relationship skills at our seminars....it is physically IMPOSSIBLE for us to give seminars in every city in the U.S. - (not to mention the rest of the universe).

So...for those people who would be interested in seeing exactly what happens at one of our seminars, and learn the skills that you need to improve your valuable relationships...we are working on the next best thing to being there in person with us.

Thats right!!! We will be coming out with a video of one of our recent seminars!!

Look for details on how you can attend one of our "How We Love" seminars from the comfort of your own home in the upcoming newsletters.

Love,
Milan and Kay

Can you help us?  If we have been an encouragement to you in any way, would you please take a few moments of your time to write a review of our book How We Love on Amazon?  Click the following link: How We Love: A Revolutionary Approach to Deeper Connections in Marriage  which will take you to our book page on Amazon, scroll down to the bottom and follow the prompts.  It has been a bit frustrating that for all the thousands of comments we receive from all over the world, that more people have not written a review on Amazon. It would mean a lot to us if you would. 

Thanks.

NOW YOU CAN WATCH MILAN AND KAY IN ACTION!!

Check out our website: www.howwelove.com and click the

"Video - Milan and Kay Talk About How We Love" link.

You will be taken to a page where you can view a video about our book and another video of one of our Television appearances.

Please be patient - the video about our book takes less than a minute to load, the TV interview takes approximately 2 minutes or more to load.

WANT TO BE PART OF OUR NEXT BOOK?

If you have already taken our survey - THANK YOU!! You people are GREAT!!!

We are getting some VERY good and useful information that we will use to help us write our book!!!

We hope that you enjoyed our previously unpublished document The Value of Virginity, Monogamy and Sexual Fidelity.

If you have not yet taken our survey please read on!!

Milan and I are currently doing research for our next book “How We Love – Sexually”.

We need some help – we are conducting a survey on “How We Love – Sexually”.

Dont worry....your name will NOT be emblazoned in print for thousands of readers to know about what you do in the bedroom!!

We would love for you to take our survey “How We Love – Sexually” and be assured that your name will never be used.  ALL survey questionnaires are ANONYMOUS. That’s right your name is never used – in fact you don’t give us your name at all.

Also there is no way of tracking who answered the survey.

You see we want completely honest answers to some personal questions. By guaranteeing that you will remain completely anonymous we can expect honesty in return.

The survey is very short and can be completed in less than 5 minutes.

After you answer the survey you will be helping not only us but others who suffer from personal issues. These issues and more will be addressed in our upcoming book “How We Love – Sexually”.

You will also receive advance results from the survey so that you can benefit from the knowledge that you are NOT alone in How We Love - Sexually.

As a thank you for helping us we have an unpublished document that we would like to give you, entitled The Value of Virginity, Monogamy and Sexual Fidelity.

After you fill out the survey - simply press the "Click When Finished " button at the end of the questions and you will be directed to a page where you will be able to download The Value of Virginity, Monogamy and Sexual Fidelity.

To help us and receive your gift please click here: How We Love Sexually - Survey

(Make sure that you answer ALL of the questions - if you do not see the "Thank You" page after clicking the button

review your questions - you have probably not answered one or more)

Thanks

Milan and Kay

We will be appearing at the following locations:

Upcoming Workshops and Seminars:

How We Love Workshop
Registration & Host Contact Information: Our Savior Lutheran Church 4519 112th St. East, Tacoma, WA 98446 (253) 531-2112.  
Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM (Milan & Kay)
April 21, 2007 

How We Love,( a one hour presentation during a Family Night event) (Milan and Kay)
Presbyterian Church of the Master, Mission Viejo, CA
Contact Info: Church office @ 949-582-2670.
May 2, 2007

New Life Ministries, Healing Is A Choice, Couples Group Counselors, (Milan and Kay and Steve Arterburn)
Dallas, Texas,
Info: www.newlife.com or 1-800-NEW-LIFE.
May 4-6, 2007

Friday Night New Life Ministries “Relationships Reframed”
 Seattle, WA, Cedar Park Church, Bothell WA (Milan and Kay and Steve Arterburn)
 Info: www.newlife.com or 1 800 NEW LIFE.  
June 15, 2007

Thursday Night New Life Ministries “Relationships Reframed”
Washington, DC, McLean Bible Church, VA (Milan and Kay and Steve Arterburn)
Info: www.newlife.com or 1 800 NEW LIFE.
July 26, 2007

New Life Cruise, Canada and New England.
Info: www.newlife.com or 1 800 NEW LIFE.
Sept. 22-29, 2007
 
Saturday Night New Life Ministries “Relationships Reframed”
 Boston, Mass., location to be announced (Milan and Kay and Steve Arterburn).
Info: www.newlife.com or 1 800 NEW LIFE.
Sept. 29, 2007
 

RADIO APPEARANCES (Subject to change):

New Life Ministries Radio, Los Angeles area, KKLA 99.5 FM, 2 PM daily Mon – Fri. 
Check www.newlife.com for nationwide listing of radio stations and times in your area as well as daily hosts.

Go to www.relationship180.com for details.

If this newsletter has helped you, perhaps it can also help others. Please let your friends, family and others know that they too can get the help they need by signing up for this free newsletter at: www.howwelove.com

Understanding your relationships is probably one of the MOST important tasks that you can do to improve your life.

To help you understand your relationships we have written the book :