Love is a Verb
One of the most powerful lessons that I ever learned was from one of my mentors and coaches the Great Dr. Stephen Covey.
I am sure he did not come up with this idea, however it was the first time I had ever heard this thought. Do not confuse love the feeling with love the action. Love the feeling is the fruit of Love the action. Action is the only way to get true lasting love.
This is true whether it be with a significant other, sister, brother, children, friends. We see Love the feeling a lot in Hollywood. First as we grow up watching the Disney movies and then as we get older, we see the couples falling in love in everything from action films to romantic comedies. People leave these films thinking why can’t I have that love. We can!
It takes sacrifice and unselfishness and it most likely will not require you saving someone from snakes or an evil scientist, it will look like the following. I know I love my 1 and 2 year old sons, because I have no problem waking up at 4:30 am to give the young one a bottle, knowing full well that the older one will be waking up in a 1 hour and 1/2 and I will need to make him breakfast.
I wipe their butts and I play with them even though I don’t want to, I give up playing basketball with friends so I can take them to swimming lessons. That is Love and I get Love the feeling from them when they run and waddle up to me and hug me, this would not happen with out Love the action.
Think about the five people in your life that you spend the most time with and write down five actions of love that you can do for them and then do them, and if it applies do them on a consistent basis. And get ready to experience Love the feeling.
James W. Anderson
Guest Author and Leadership Trainer
