"Love is Kind"

Well yesterday's dare to say nothing negative, I had two little slips. But, I did catch them immediately and apologize. Maybe today will be better. http://lds.org/ensign/1980/10/patience?lang=eng This is an excellent article that I read about patience. I should read it monthly.

Day 2 Dare:

In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

In the book "The Love Dare" it talks about "Kindness is love in action." Which is what it is. Another quote from the book I really like is: "Patience avoids a problem; kindness creates a blessing." It also broke kindness into four basic core ingredients:

1. Gentleness: Be gentle and sensitive, speak the truth in love.
2. Helpfulness: Meet the needs of the moment.
3. Willingness: Be agreeable, cooperate, stay flexible. Look for reasons to compromise.
4. Initiative: Think ahead and take the first step. Like it says in the movie Robots: "See a need, fill a need."

I have learned that the more I serve someone and being kind is a form of service, I love them more. So this step makes perfect sense. So today I am going to make my husband breakfast in bed. This morning I read an excellent talk about kindness. Here is the link: http://lds.org/ensign/2005/05/the-virtue-of-kindness?lang=eng
This is something I am going to work on with my entire family. My kids have seen too much of us not being  kind in the past. They need to see more of the positive.

Love is Patient--Say Nothing Negative All Day

Okay so today is the first day of my doing "The Love Dare." So here is what is says for today:

"The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Although love is communicated in a number of ways, our words often reflect the condition of our heart. For the next day, resolve to demonstrate patience and to say  nothing negative to your spouse at all. If the temptation arises, choose not to say anything. It's better to hold your tongue than to say something you'll regret." The Love Dare pg.4

I'm thinking this will be an easy day for me this time around. Last time I did this, not so easy. I wasn't so patient. But I have been working on this for a while and I am much more patient than I have ever been. So I hope I don't blow it today.

When my husband would say something I didn't like or agree with I would respond immediately, defend myself. I didn't really take the time to listen to what he was saying and think about it. So I would respond and things would go from bad to worse. Now I listen and try to understand before I say anything and it is much more peaceful around here.

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." James 1:19-20 

Let the dare begin!