51 Shades of (Grey) Love

Love is not obsessive sexuality.  Love illuminates life, is vibrant and beautiful — not lifeless and grey.  If you’ve ever felt shut down, you know that love can seem lifeless.  However, the truth is that love is life-giving!

Major holidays like Valentines Day shut down some people.  The fear of failure and rejection just make it impossible to think of any plans that will work.  And the fear that there is no plan to celebrate love can make other people feel unloveable.  Somewhere, away from all the hype and grand expectations is the place where sincere affection is offered and received.  She decides what will make her happy and creates it.  He decides what he likes and offers it.  Together they enjoy what they like and celebrate living love.

So here are 51 shades of Real Love

1. SERVICE:  a foot massage
2. WORDS:  a love letter
3. TIME:  putting aside the never-ending texting to talk
4. TOUCH:  caress my face
5. GIFTS:  a box of chocolates
6. WORDS:  a sincere compliment
7. TIME:  Walking under the stars
8. SERVICE:  doing up the dishes and cleaning the kitchen
9. TOUCH:  soft kisses
10. GIFTS:  my favorite cologne
11. SERVICE:  changing a diaper
12. WORDS:  surprise sticky note on the dash
13. TIME:  picnic in the park
14. TOUCH:  respectful sex
15. GIFTS:  a flower
16. WORDS:  a poem about whatever
17. SERVICE:  washing his car
18. TOUCH:  a hug from behind
19. TIME:  watching a sunrise
20. GIFTS:  forgiveness
21. WORDS:  verbal acceptance
22. SERVICE:  doing laundry
23. TOUCH:  sharing a blanket
24. TIME:  a visit
25. WORDS:  a handmade card
26. SERVICE:  pushing the grocery cart for you
27. TIME:  turning off the tv to look in my eyes
28. TOUCH:  a little tickle
29. WORDS:  a serenade
30. GIFTS:  jewelry
31. SERVICE:  cooking a great meal
32. WORDS:  I thank you
33. TIME:  sitting on the porch swing together
34. TOUCH:  giving a back rub
35. GIFTS:  a photograph of us
36. SERVICE:  I’ll paint your nails
37. TIME:  nature walk
38. WORDS:  a phone call
39. TOUCH:  holding hands
40. GIFTS: a home movie of us
41. TIME:  listening
42. SERVICE:  working in your garden
43. TOUCH:  feeling your pain and offering comfort
44. GIFTS:  lingerie
45. WORDS:  Top 10 things I admire about you
46. SERVICE:  bringing you breakfast in bed
47. TIME:  staying up late for your arrival
48. TOUCH:  holding your heart gently in my hands
49. GIFTS:  a care package
50. WORDS:  complimenting your work in public
51. LOVE: three little words — I love you
    

A friend of mine wrote a blog post called True Love that I really like.

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image credits:  Paint swatch | Flickr/See-ming Lee, watercolor box | Flickr/Jerine Lay, palette | wikipedia

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