Speaking the Love Language of "Words of Affirmation"

From this post on, allow me to dwell on each love language I listed in my earlier post. Let me start with "Words of Affirmation."

The words "mano po" are strong words of affirmation for the parents from
children. We return such honor by saying, "Mabait na bata." (Good Kid!)
Photo extracted from "revcruz" at flickr.com/photos/revcruz/3273660240/

How does one speak that language? How do we communicate with him?

Caritas in Veritate (Love in Truth)

Caritas in Veritate ("Love in Truth") is the latest encyclical from Pope Benedect XVI. In the first paragraph of the encyclical, it says (emphasis in bold mine)

"Love — caritas — is an extraordinary force which leads people to opt for courageous and generous engagement in the field of justice and peace. It is a force that has its origin in God, Eternal Love and Absolute Truth."

I won't go into an in-depth theological discussion. There are sites for that. What I seek to write about is its implication on parenting in a family setting, the basic social unit of every society (of course you already know that, don't you?).

Photo extracted from Gilbert Rondilla at Flickr.com (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gilbertrondilla/3642637241/)

The Five Love Languages of Parenting

The first time I heard about "Love Languages," I was still single. It did magic in my relationship with my girlfriend (now my wife). I learned in due course that the same languages are used in parenting.

The Filipino Family. Photo from the collection of "dantehipolito" at Flickr ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/24915557@N08/2511354906/

The Five Love Languages was a book written by Gary Chapman. It is available in National Bookstore, Power Books or Fully Booked. What a gift to people serious about parenting!

The Purposeful Father

Someone sent me a note, "Marvin, I don't know what purposeful father means." At first I thought this guy needs a lecture on parenting.

But then he said further, "I just want to be a full-time father." That froze me for half a second.

Many Filipino fathers wish to spend moments with their family as this one does. Even the time they're away is dedicated to that purpose. Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/melbagirl/384434525/

He turned out to be a Filipino father working overseas, while his family stays in the home country, the Philippines.*

I told him, "Rest tonight my friend with the thought that you are a purposeful father."

Purposeless Fathers? Oh no!

Have you seen purposeless fathers moving around? If you're reading this, chances are you're not one of them. The reason why I asked what makes you cry is for you to get in touch with your life purpose.

Now, stay with me. If I sound weird, this is because you don't hear people discuss this in schools, much less in the companies where you work 10, 20, 30, 40 years! No, they don't.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="446" caption="Man in deep thought. Photo taken from http://www.pixelfight.com/all-photos/deep-in-thought/"][/caption]

If truth be told, they don't even normally discuss this in the Church! They tell you to get in touch with God. They tell you to know Jesus. They tell you to pray for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. They're all setting you up to the right path.

But what is it that makes you move?