Lessons in Loving
Developing Relationship Skills
by Philip St. Romain
Lessons in Loving
Developing Relationship Skills
by Philip St. Romain
How well do you love?
Relationship skills allow us to meet emotional and social needs like acceptance, security, and intimacy. But unlike linguistic and logical-mathematical skills which are taught in schools, it seems that relationship skills are thought to be mastered automatically -- through our contact with other people. Judging by the quality of many relationships today, though, more needs to be done.
Lessons in Loving offers a much-needed education in healthy, positive relationship skills. Philip St. Romain, experienced spiritual director, identifies and helps you master the skills necessary for growth in self-love and love of others, including love of God. The book is written in two parts: intrapersonal (relating with self) and interpersonal (relating with others). The first helps you understand the relationship between your behavior, perception, beliefs, feelings and decisions so you can come to self-knowledge and eventually to responsible change. In the second part, you will discover how to develop the ability to read the feelings, intentions, and desires of others -- even when hidden -- and to act lovingly upon this knowledge.
More than just another personal growth book, Lessons in Loving suggests practical exercises that enable you to monitor and evaluate your progress. The author also recommends practices to help you train yourself to foster such habits as emotional awareness, listening, validating, and the surrender of faith.
First edition by Liguori Publications, 1988.
Re-published by Contemplative Ministries, Inc., 2010
