Want to improve your relationships? See love as a verb rather than as a feeling.

Covey’s line reframes “love” from an internal mood to a set of chosen behaviors. In his broader habits-based philosophy, durable relationships are built less by waiting for the right feelings and more by practicing consistent actions—listening, keeping commitments, showing respect, serving, and forgiving. The implication is that feelings often follow conduct: acting lovingly can restore warmth even when affection is strained, while neglectful behavior can erode affection even when feelings once ran high. The quote also aligns with Covey’s emphasis on personal agency: you can’t directly command emotions, but you can choose principles-based actions that make trust and intimacy more likely over time.