Saturday, November 15, 2008

Understanding Men...

One book that I have recommended over and over through many years is Fascinating Womanhood by Helen Andelin ($11.20 at Amazon.com).  Although some parts may seem a little outdated, it has timeless advice on How the Ideal Woman Awakens a Man's Deepest Love and Tenderness.  It has amazing ways to communicate in your marriage that has proven successful to enhance love since first published in 1965, and now with over two million copies being sold.  Through this book, "there is hope of a new generation of women - happy, feminine, adored, and cherished."   

I have given out over 2 dozen copies of this book, and recommended it to countless others.  My girls have read it also.  My son's girlfriend gave it to a few friends at her school.  If you want a great book that you should read every few years, order a copy for yourself (and you better get a few to give out!) -- you can click at the above link to get to Amazon's page.

From the summary of the section, Understanding Men:

...it appears that we must do a lot of giving.  We are expected to do a lot of giving.  We are expected to overlook his faults, appreciate his better side, and make him number one.  We must yield to his authority and allow for errors in his judgment.  The wonderful wife has an all-comprehending sympathy for his duty to provide the living, and cooperates by living well within his income.  In addition, we must take great pains to not wound his masculine pride.  If it seems you are expected to do a lot of giving without much thought of reward, remember, 'when you cast your bread upon the waters, it comes back buttered.'

As you apply these principles, it will awaken your husband's love and tenderness.  As one wife put it, 'Our marriage blossomed like a plant that had been placed in the sun after a long, dark winter.'  As a man feels accepted, free, respected as a man, and understood, love is awakened.  But, remember, you are not to expect material rewards, such as new clothes, a new dishwasher, flowers or frilly nightwear.  These things may come as fringe benefits, as they often do, but the promise of Fascinating Womanhood is not material rewards, but a stronger relationship and a tender, romantic love.  Evidence of such rewards has been given by testimonials at the end of the chapters... 

Challenge:  Take one of the things mentioned in the Understanding Men part of the book and work on it:  overlook his faults, appreciate his better side, and make him number one, yield to his authority, allow for errors in his judgment, have an all-comprehending sympathy for his duty to provide the living, cooperate by living well within his income, and take great pains to not wound his masculine pride.

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