There are specific ways that people show their care for you, and there are many ways that you show your care for others. If you truly care about others or if others truly care about you, some or all of the following attributes will be evident in your relationship.
How are you?
People that care about you will ask about how you're doing, and they'll listen to your answer with care and interest. Checking in with loved ones regularly, let's them know you care.
What can I do for you?
People that care about you will be there for you in times of need--they'll want to know how they can help you and reach out to help you now and then. Actively helping those you love sends a strong message that you care about them. Looking for ways to help your loved ones and then following through with those actions helps to strengthen loving, caring connections.
Let's have fun together
When there's care for one another, you'll want to spend time together having a good time. Planning and following through with good times connects us with loving care.
Encouragement
People that care about you will encourage you to be your best self. To be an active listener and then to respond with encouragement when our loved ones are facing hard times demonstrates our care.
Understanding
When there's care, there's understanding--people who care about you will strive to understand who you are, what you want, and where you're headed in life. Seeing life from the perspective of our loved ones, essentially stepping into their shoes helps us to be more caring.
Celebration
People that care about you will celebrate your significant life events with care and consideration. Looking forward to our loved ones' big celebrations and then following through with acknowledgement of these good times builds caring, loving relationships.
Space
When there's care, people will give you space when you need it. Knowing our loved ones well enough to understand when they need more time and space and then following through with that builds a loving relationship.
Honesty, respect, and a sense of humor
In caring relationships, there will be honesty and respect. Hearing and accepting people's honest responses with respect and sometimes a positive sense of humor helps us to care for one another. Responding honestly is integral too.
Some grow up with lots of mentoring with respect to love and care. It's natural for them to be that way. Others have less of that mentoring which makes care a more difficult challenge. More than worrying about whether people care for you or not, it's important to do what you can to care for those you love in meaningful, kind, and loving ways. Onward.