What is love? Love is that elusive emotion that brings joy to our heart, tears to our eyes, and gives us a sense of the potential for heaven on earth. How can we create love by using some simple principles of the way memory works:
1. First, we remember what happens first. Your first impression leaves an indelible mark. Make it a good frist impression. Be aware of the first thing you say or do when you greet someone, the first thing you say or do when you wake up next to your partner, or the first thing you say or do in a job interview.
2. Second, repetition helps us to remember. If you want someone to know how much you appreciate him or her, saying it once does not cut it. Repeat it over and over – not just with words but with small, frequent actions that the person can interpret as being appreciated.
3. Third, be outstanding, unusual, creative, different. Make an impression with your words, style, attitude, activities, empathy – whatever helps you to stand out from the crowd. We remember people and things that are different from what we are used to seeing and knowing.
4. Fourth, be personal and pay close attention to the other person. We remember when we felt heard, understood, cared for, appreciated, acknowledged and assisted. Be the one who cares. Learn what the other person wants and needs – and – give it to them if you can.
5. Fifth, memory fades quickly. Do it again today. If you made a great first impression, you repeatede your good works, you proved to be outstanding and unusual, you paid close attention and showed great empathy, you have created a winning potential. However, if you did it all two years ago, or you did it on your honeymoon, or you did it a few weeks ago – maybe even a few days ago – to insure that you are instilling love in another person’s memory, then DO IT AGAIN TODAY!
Creating love, lasting love, may not be as difficult as you once thought. However, it may take more dilligence, more paying attention to details and nuances, and more daily repetition than you find comfortable. Decide, do you want personal comfort or lasting love?