“Intimacy requires accommodation and gentleness at it’s core, and does with phrases like “If it bothers you I won’t do it,” and “Now I understand.” And “Thank you for telling me that. I hadn’t seen it in that light.” And “I appreciate you taking the time to get through my defences. I am sorry I put up such a fight.”You’d be surprised how much power there is in respect, and how much respect comes back, and how much intimacy there is when you empower someone instead of overpower them, and how much more love.”

− Merle Shain −