…is a core BTL principle.
Love is measured by what it gives. Or, as author Bob Goff says, by what LOVE DOES.
Mostly, love is real, hard, work because it involves messy, work-in-processes like you & me. But if you want to be a better leader with a better team, better marriage, better family, better friends, better neighbors — love harder. Simple, not easy.
Love is also measured by what it costs. The spiritual love called agape is truly a jaw-dropper. Like a mother giving birth, love is willing to suffer to bring life to another.
So what are some practical ways for us to love harder?
First, friend, remember you can’t give away what you don’t have; and, love isn’t there for the taking, only for the receiving. It takes humility to receive love, especially a love which forgives. When Scrooge received mercy and grace, his worldview flipped from a scarcity-to-abundant mindset, and his new heart overflowed with generosity.
Love is always a choice, first to receive it, then to be a conduit for giving it away. We aren’t to pay him back (nor can we), but we can pay it forward.
Becoming BTL will make you built to love harder. It’s the antedote to fear and the pathway from a lone to all-ONE. Becoming BTL will make you more patient, kinder, less jealous, less arrogant, less rude, less self-centered/other-controlling, less provoked, less scorekeeping, less finding joy when rivals lose, and more rejoicing when truth prevails. Loving harder bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
So now it’s time for you to do some writing. Have you been living like a desperado? Like the Eagles song warns, you better come to your senses, climb down from your fences, open the gate…and you better let somebody love you before it’s toooooooo late. Have you been a love-taker? Come clean with how that’s working for you, and how it’s affecting your relationships. If you’ve been awakened by something you read here, who do you want to love harder, why, and what is your PA?
Done so.
Embrace it. Live it. Love it (Thanks, Toto)…
BUILT TO LEAD 
Sunday was a cup-filler of a day. I began it with working in single digit temps passing out bbq meals in a drive up fundraiser at church. Our mens ministry raises money for a beds for vets program helping them get on their feet. Doing that work with a great group of men, and seeing so many faces at church warmed my soul, even in the bitter cold. I came home and warmed up with a hot cup of coffee and fixed a few things around the house, then played some games with the wife and kids and we laughed, really hard. I got a quick workout in too. Every day should burn this bright with love – I love to serve, I love to be with my family, I love to be productive, I love to move. I love a good meal, shared with those I love. I haven’t been burning out bright as often as I should, but I’m working on it. I’m finding ways. I’m baking a fresh loaf of sourdough for some neighbors this morning. Giving love. Revisiting Go-Giver…
Vincent’s quote struck me as well – almost in a permission giving sense. I am on fire when I’m loving on people, building others and things, learning new things…there’s so little room for fear when there’s this much love.