Love, as a Source of Motivation

For better or for worse, love is a powerful motivator. As a source of motivation and energy, love transforms each of us into a better version of ourselves. Being loved makes a person feel safe; it gives us a reason to believe in ourselves.

Typically, love generates an excitement and euphoria inside. Do you recall the increased energy you felt when you fell in love? You were motivated to clean your living space so that special person will have a positive impression when she sees it. You are motivated to change a disagreeable habit so that you become more worthy of a relationship with her!

Love, like many other positive emotions and events, can make you willing to change--though not always in a healthy direction. In fact, romantic love is a two-headed monster.

While we usually think of "love" as a positive motivator, I would be a wealthy man if I had a dollar for every person who started smoking, practiced unsafe sex, experimented with an illegal drug, popped a pill, downed an alcoholic drink, or smoked a joint to please, tease, get accepted by, or get closer to a special someone. Of course this kind of "love" is fool's gold, because it makes you forget who you are and what really matters. This type of love can hurt you. This is not intended to focus on romantic love but also loving relationships, including love of family and friends. But let's focus on the happy side of love!

Here are some examples of people who changed habits because of love and loving relationships:
*Someone quits smoking when a friend with heart disease asked if they could quit together.
*A student overcames her pattern of dropping her courses each semester because she realized the benefit of getting her education!
*A guy quits drinking when his girlfriend told him she wouldn't marry someone who drank.

Remember in "Gone with the Wind" when Rhett Butler quits drinking after his daughter pushes him away because he has whiskey on his breath?

In life the two most powerful motivators are Love and Fear! When we use fear as our motivator, rather than love, problems can arise that get in the way of our growth. Fear is normal, but it doesn't have to run your life or be what motivates you to work toward your goals. As I have said before,

MAKE LOVETHE STRONGEST VOICE AND INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE!