FAMILY/ Marriage

Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 2 – Purposeful Living


These posts are designed to model a system of purposeful living.  At least once a month, I spend time setting meaningful goals around one of seventeen core priorities.

If you missed it, consider reading the foundation post – Purposeful Living #1.

Correct Priority
Priority #4 – Social Health – Immediate Family – Spouse (Social & Emotional Health)
Goal Setting & Reflection Date
Sunday, February 26
Invest in the social and emotional health of my marriage and strengthen my marriage by reading and discussing two books with Amy in 2012.  The first book must be a mutually agreed upon marriage book.  The second book may be any book of Amy’s choice.  Specific goals include:
~Mutually choose a marriage book.
~Amy choose a book of her choice.
~Decide how often to read and discuss each book.
~Develop a plan to ensure relevant discussion and dialogue.
Goal Status
Partially Completed
Thoughts
Amy and I had a date Friday night and during dinner we identified the books we will be reading together and developed a plan for when and how we will be reading them.

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts


The marriage book we will be reading is The Five Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman.  My plan was to allow Amy to select the book, but instead I decided this is the book we needed to read.  Rather, it is the book I need to read.  I know Amy’s primary love language (Words Of Affirmation), but I still stink at it.  I am hoping that reading the book will allow me additional insight regarding how to do a better job of showing love in a way that is not natural for me.


We will read and discuss one chapter on each date.  Our dates always include dinner so we will talk about what we learned over a meal.  We made date nights a priority the day we got married and since we had kids we get out on average twice a month.  To ensure relevant discussion and dialogue we will each highlight parts of the book to share and/or discuss.  Amy has the freedom to highlight as many parts of each chapter as she wants.  I have also encouraged her to specifically highli9ght points she considers important for me to learn or to know.


On my end, I have to highlight a minimum of three sections per chapter for discussion.  Amy would prefer I highlight anything and everything I find interesting , but when I said that may mean nothing is highlighted we both agreed a minimum number of highlights is necessary.


For Amy’s choice she has asked me to watch two documentaries with her rather than reading a book.  This seemed reasonable since we can watch a movie in one sitting.



Forks Over Knives


The fist documentary is Forks Over Knives.  The second documentary is Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.  Both movies have heavily influenced Amy’s thinking about health and food.  It is important to Amy that I not only respect and encourage her eating habits, but that I also understand why she has transformed her diet.



Fat Sick & Nearly Dead


Amy was willing to negotiate with me to find time to watch these movies.  On two of our date nights we will order in some yummy food and watch the movies over a meal at home instead of going out.  To ensure relevant discussion and dialogue we will each identify parts of the movie that stood out to share and/or discuss.  Amy can pick out as many parts as she wants, while I have to identify a minimum of five.


In Parts 3-5 I will share some key things I learned and reflect on the entire experience.
Amy is pretty excited about this project which makes me feel excited as well.


Link To Foundation Post
Purposeful Living #1

Outline Of All Purposeful Living Posts
Purposeful Living Series

Links To Additional Posts In This Series
Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 1
Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 3
Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 4
Two Books To Strengthen My Marriage 2012-Part 5


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  • Lauren @ Inside My Present
    April 16, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    Another great book is Sacred marriage by Gary Thomas. Took a class on it and it gives you a new perspective at which to look at marriage. Good stuff! I will be reading the 5 Love Languages soon!

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