"Hey, you're stepping on my airhose."

(Scott) Hello all.  For this post I have the privilege of discussing the most recent book that Betsy and I have completed - Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs.  We both love books similar to this one, as we obviously enjoy reading together and know that there is always room to improve ourselves and our relationship. 

The primary content of the book should be easy for all to figure out, you guessed it - love and respect.  Dr. Eggerichs delves into thorough discussions on how woman need love and men need respect.  He does a great job explaining everyday occurrences that can make a woman feel unloved and a man feel disrespected and gives some advice on how to remedy.  Throughout the book he makes generalizations that obviously don't apply to all women and men but for the most part his views, examples and behavior modification suggestions seem fairly accurate and helpful. 

One of the best sections, in my opinion, is when Dr. Eggerichs discusses the crazy cycle.  The crazy cycle is basically a cycle of unloving words/actions that lead to disrespectful words/actions and can keep going and going until someone stops the cycle.  He gives great examples of how to stop this craziness and explains that stopping the cycle really takes some maturity and the ability to step back and see what is really going on.  One needs to realize that the other is likely a goodwilled person. Instead of reacting unlovingly or disrespectfully when one feels unloved or disrespected, a better response would be to act lovingly or respectful; thus, helping to stop the crazy cycle and head towards a cycle of energy with kind words and actions that energize one to be loving or respectful. 

The key, in my opinion, is patience.  We need to not be quick with our words/actions so that we can internalize certain situations to gain a better understanding that will enable us to react lovingly and respectfully.  Furthermore, if someone is feeling unloved or disrespected they could say, "hey, you are stepping on my airhose".  Dr. Eggerichs mentions the airhose analogy several times throughout the book.  If we use unloving or disrespectful words then it may feel as though one's 'airhose' is restricted and no love or respect can flow to that person.  So, try to stay off the airhose.

To conclude, we enjoyed reading this book together and found many benefits that can be applied in every day situations.  Take care.

(Betsy): On to our next book...A Case For Christ.