We use the word “love” for everything – from our favourite pair of boots to our closest family members. But when we talk about Love in Action, we’re moving away from love as a noun and into love as verb. We are moving away from an intangible ambiguous thing to tangible actions that can be taken.
Love is an act of will – namely, both an intention and an action.
– Bell Hooks
To me, Love in Action is the moment where your values meet your schedule. It’s not just feeling empathy for a neighbour; it’s checking in on them during a Saskatchewan cold snap. It’s not just valuing self-care; it’s actually setting the phone down and hitting the yoga mat because you know you need the reset.
It is the intersection of passion and purpose.
In the context of this series, Love in Action, is about the Black Canadians who saw a gap in their community and chose to fill it. It’s about people who lead with their hearts but work with their hands.
As we move through this month, I want us to look for the “verbs” in our own lives. Where are you showing up? How are you transforming your “good vibes” into “good deeds”?
Love is a powerful feeling, but it’s an even more powerful choice.
Some ways that you can love as a verb:
- Shoveling a neighbour’s sidewalk after the next big snowfall.
- Buying a coffee for the person behind you to pay some love forward.
- Sending a “thinking of you” text to someone who might be struggling with the winter blues.
- Donate gently used winter gear to a local shelter.
- Donate to your local food bank or school lunch program.
- Leave a glowing review for a Black-owned business you love.
- Set a 10-minute “no phone” boundary tonight to practice true self-presence.
Image for the graphic by Nsey Benajah on Unsplash