Home > Marriage > 24/7 > The 5 Sides of Intimacy
The 5 Sides of Intimacy
Hint: It's more than just sex
By Gary D. Chapman | posted 9/12/2008
 2 of 2
What keeps us from experiencing intimacy? All of us are egocentric; the world revolves around us. Yet, when we focus on self, we lose intimacy.
The opposite of self-centeredness, then, is love. Love concentrates on the well-being of the spouse. We take time to listen to the thoughts, feelings, and desires of our spouse. We seek to understand and to respond with empathy. We choose to do things with each other, even things that may not be our favorite activities, simply because we want to be with each other.
In the context of such intimacy we become supportive and caring of each other, which builds a stronger, more contented marriage.
Gary D. Chapman, Ph.D., a marriage and relationship expert, is author of Five Signs of a Loving Family (Northfield Press).
Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Marriage Partnership magazine. Click here for reprint information on Marriage Partnership.
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