52 Weeks, 52 Activities | A Year of Connection and Growth | Week 13 | The Power of Spoken Appreciation

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A Meal on the Lawn in the Park

Welcome back to "A Year of Connection and Growth"! As we journey through this year, we've explored various facets of partnership, from setting foundations of gratitude to charting shared goals. This week, as we step into Week 13, we're focusing on a powerful, yet often overlooked, aspect of connection: verbal affirmation. In the daily rhythm of life, it's easy to take our partners for granted or to assume they know how much we appreciate them. However, hearing specific, heartfelt words of praise and recognition can breathe new life into a relationship, affirming worth and strengthening the bond. This week's activity is designed to make appreciation explicit and intentional.

Week 13 Activity: The Compliment Connection

This week, dedicate specific time to actively and sincerely compliment your partner. This isn't about generic flattery, but about genuine, specific affirmation that highlights their character, actions, and the positive impact they have on your life and well-being.

Instructions:

  1. Set the Stage: Choose a quiet time and place when you can give each other your undivided attention. This could be during a meal on the patio or lawn, a walk together, or before bed. Make it a dedicated moment.
  2. Prepare Your Words (Optional but Recommended): Before your "Compliment Connection" session, take a few minutes individually to think about 3-5 specific things you genuinely appreciate or admire about your partner. Consider:
    • A character trait you love (e.g., their patience, their humor, their resilience).
    • A recent action or gesture that touched you (e.g., "I really appreciated you doing the dishes when I was tired").
    • A quality they possess that inspires you (e.g., their dedication, their creativity).
    • Something they do that makes your life easier or more joyful.
  1. The Exchange: Take turns sharing your compliments. When it's your turn to speak, be sincere and specific. For example, instead of "You're great," say, "I really admire your perseverance in tackling that difficult project at work; it shows incredible strength." When it's your turn to receive, simply listen and accept the compliment without downplaying it or immediately returning one. Let their words resonate.
  2. Feel the Impact: Notice how it feels to give and receive these affirmations. This practice is designed to build each other up and reinforce the positive aspects of your relationship.

A Stroll Through the Park

Supporting Scriptures

The ancient wisdom of the Holy Scriptures often speaks to the power of words, emphasizing their capacity to build up, heal, and bring joy.

  • Proverbs 16:24 (KJV): "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." This verse beautifully illustrates the profound positive impact that kind and affirming words can have on a person's inner spirit and well-being.
  • Proverbs 25:11 (KJV): "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." This highlights the immense value and beauty of words that are well-chosen, timely, and appropriate, much like a sincere and specific compliment.
  • Proverbs 18:21 (KJV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." While a powerful warning, this verse also powerfully emphasizes the life-giving potential of words. Using our tongue to speak appreciation brings life and vitality to our relationships.

The "Compliment Connection" is more than just a nice gesture; it's a vital practice for nurturing a thriving partnership. By intentionally speaking words of appreciation, you affirm your partner's worth, strengthen their spirit, and remind yourselves of the wonderful qualities that drew you together. May this week be filled with heartfelt affirmations that deepen your love and appreciation for one another. 

As we conclude our journey through week thirteen of 52 weeks of activities, remember that cultivating "oneness" is an ongoing process. It requires intentionality, effort, and a willingness to grow together.

May these activities inspire you to deepen your connection, strengthen your bond, and create a marriage that reflects the divine love and unity exemplified throughout the holy scriptures.

Shalom, and may your journey as a couple be filled with love, joy, and “oneness."

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. 

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