[ a r t S n a p ™ ]

Love is A Verb

In his remarkable book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, Stephen Covey wrote:

During a seminar, a man came up and said to him –

“Stephen, I like what you are preaching about relationships. But every situation is different. Look at my marriage. I am really worried. My wife and I just don’t have the same feeling for each other that we used to have. I guess I just don’t love her anymore, and maybe she doesn’t love me too.”, said the man.
“The feeling is not there anymore?”, Stephen enquired.
“That is right.”, the man affirmed, “And we have three children and we are really concerned about it. What do you suggest?”
“Love her.”, Stephen Covey advised him.
“I told you, the feeling just isn’t there.”, said the man.
“Then love her. If the feeling is not there, that is all the more reason to love her.”, Stephen said.
“But how do you love when you don’t love?”, asked the man.
“My friend…”, Covey told him, “Love is a verb. Love – the feeling – is the fruit of love the verb or our loving actions. So love her. Sacrifice. Listen to her. Empathize. Appreciate. Affirm her.”