“Because I wanted to”

“We do not have to love. We choose to love.” – M. Scott Peck [Tweet this.]

There is a significant gap between living from a place where we feel obligated to perform and living with a mindset that views it as an opportunity.

Last week I was reminded of this through the simple action and words of my wife.

It was early morning, I got home at 2am the night before from the west coast and was physically spent. As I groggily reached for a towel after my shower, I noticed a mug of hot coffee waiting for me on the bathroom sink.

My wife, Beth, who doesn’t drink coffee, made a pot, poured a cup, ran up a flight of steps and placed it where I couldn’t miss it. Now, her morning was hectic, too. She had four little ones to get up, three lunches to pack and a meeting at school to get to.

I dressed quickly, danced down the steps, kissed my four little ones and thanked Beth for her thoughtfulness. I asked why she made me coffee and she responded, “Because I wanted to.”

My friends, ‘wanting’ to do something is so much more liberating than ‘having’ to do something. [Tweet this.]

In marriage we commit with the simple words: “I do.” So often in life, though, that simple notion of “I want to” degrades into “I have to.” The former comes from the choice to love, the latter from an obligation of fear.

Choosing love, living from “I want to” will positively impact not only your family, but also your business, spirituality, relationships and life. You’ll discover yourself more present, active, engaged and effective. Fueled by love, you’ll discover yourself to be less timid making sales calls, less anxious dealing with challenge, less likely to complain about what’s wrong and more likely to celebrate what’s right.

The tension and stress associated with “I have to” go to work, forgive her, move forward, watch my weight, clean my house, pick up the kids, be home for dinner, or get back into my faith dissipates when the sentence begins with “I want to.”

So brew a pot of coffee, fill the mug high and deliver it to those around you with a smile. Free yourself from the chains of “I have to” and be set on fire with the joy again of “I want to.” It will change your thoughts, words and actions. It will also impact those lucky enough to be drinking the coffee you’re serving.

You do not have to love. You choose to love. Make that choice today.

What is one thing you did this weekend out of love? Please inspire us all to choose love today by sharing in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear!

This blog is part of my Monday Morning Motivation weekly blog series. Sign up here to receive it via email each week. My inspiration for this blog came from one of my Facebook posts last week. “Like” me on Facebook to get daily inspiration!