The Habit of Criticism
Many couples not only freely criticize each other in the hope of bringing about improvements in the other’s appearance or behavior, but they also fall into the habit of unconscious criticism—constant carping on a small scale—woven into their daily conversation. This is not an environment in which intimacy can flower.
Listen to yourselves. If there is habitual criticism, you can do something about it, even before your partner decides a change is needed. On your part, totally refrain from criticism, no matter how much you want to retaliate. Instead, replace those critical words with positive words of praise and encouragement. It can reverse the whole trend of your relationship, and you will begin to see just how impoverished the two of you were before, when you were unable to sit down and just enjoy talking with each other in an atmosphere of open sharing.
Posted in Hindrances to Intimacy
To Ed Wheat Sr. and Gladys Gibson Wheat, whose commitment, devotion, warmth, generosity, and integrity stood for fifty years as a beautiful picture of genuine agape love.