Love is a verb. I first heard this concept from Stephen Covey. It is a simple yet profound concept. Most of us think of love as a feeling. We feel different types of love from the warm fuzzy that we experience with a first crush to the passion that we have for our soul mate.

Feelings are a natural part of being human. Used properly, feelings can help us to enjoy all of the wonderful experiences of life. But feelings of love matter very little if you do not do the things love requires. Love is a verb. It is something you should do and not just feel. Feeling is passive; love is active. Don’t just feel love for your spouse – go give her a hug or offer to help him wash the car. It is the seemingly insignificant acts of caring and kindness done repeatedly that generate the most long-lasting and intense love between people. Emerson wrote, "Your actions speak so loudly that I can’t hear what you are saying." You may be proclaiming your love with thunderous frequency, but are you showing it?

I have listed below a few ways to show love as a verb. See if you can add to the list.

1. When your child speaks to you, stop what you are doing and look at them. Give them your full attention. Listening actively is one of the most effective ways to show you love someone.

2. Do a small chore around the house that your spouse hates to do. It will show her that you are empathetic enough to know what she does not like.

3. Perform an act of random kindness every day. Let someone merge in traffic ahead of you. Pick up a piece of trash. Give your place in line to someone with an armful of groceries. You can never give more than you receive in return. Try it every day for three weeks and see what happens.

4. Give a sincere and unexpected compliment to a coworker or classmate. Don’t make a big deal about it – just mean what you say.

5. Say "I love you" to someone you love. Your wife may know that you love her, but she still likes to hear it. The more you say it and show it, the more you will feel it.

Love is a verb. Go now and show your love. You will be pleasantly surprised at what happens to you when you begin taking action on your feelings of love.