The Right Fight: How to Live a Loving Life

Imagine a great tree standing tall in a peaceful meadow, its roots glowing warmly beneath the soil, stretching deep and wide. These roots are not just physical anchors but represent the very foundation of love itself. Love is not merely a feeling that comes and goes like the wind; rather, it is a conscious choice, a deliberate action that nourishes the heart and soul. Too often, we mistake the sweet fruit of love—the feelings of warmth, affection, and tenderness—for love itself. But just as a tree’s fruit depends on its roots, our feelings of love depend on the choices we make and the actions we take every day.

In this section, we explore the profound truth that love is a decision to be patient, kind, truthful, protective, trusting, hopeful, and persevering. These seven roots form the foundation that sustains love through storms and seasons of drought. Without these roots, love’s fruit will wither and disappear, leaving us empty. The beauty of this metaphor is that while we cannot always control how we feel, we have full control over our roots—our actions and choices.

Consider the story of a father who faced the dilemma of whether to allow his children their beloved ice-cream runs in his new truck. At first, fear of mess and damage led him to ban these simple joys. But when he chose love—sacrificing his truck’s pristine condition for the happiness and memories of his children—the roots of love grew stronger in his family. This choice, though costly in the short term, bore fruit in lasting joy and connection.

Love as a choice means that even when feelings fade or circumstances are difficult, we can still act lovingly. It means that love is not a passive experience but an active commitment to do what is best for others, regardless of how we feel. When love rules our lives, our actions nourish deep roots that produce the fruit of love—warmth, trust, and peace—that bless both ourselves and those around us.

As we begin this journey together, remember that the power to love lies within you—not in your feelings but in your choices. Let us now move forward to understand how fear, love’s greatest enemy, threatens to sever these roots and how we can choose to live rooted in love instead.