Everywhere I look I see people who need to be encouraged. It seems to be a sign of the times. People are stressed to the max because of all sorts of things. I meet with people from rich to poor...from those who have a walk of faith in whatever religion, to those who have no belief at all. The one thing everyone has in common is the need for encouragement.
So, what is encouragement? Why should I ask that question? It seems that people have forgotten what it means. So let me define encouragement as...A LIFE-GIVING WORD. It seems that we have forgotten what a life-giving word can do. By the way, sarcasm is NOT encouraging. It is self-centered and egotistical. Argue with me all you want but I have never known sarcasm to do a whole lot of good.
I am not a "mamby-pamby" kind of guy. I don't sit around feeling sorry for myself or expecting anything from people. I do believe in the power of words. I do believe that the power of words can give a person motivation to excel. If you choose to ignore the power of a good word then that is on you.
Back to talking about encouragement. There are so many good people who need a good word just to help them move to a new level in life. Those words come from the power of encouragement. Corporations can move from mediocrity to greatness by learning the power of serving and encouraging. People can move to a new level of living by learning to encourage.
How do you encourage? Start by using words. Try using words that will build up and not tear down. Example..".you are gifted...let's journey together to unlock your full potential"...instead of "you really suck at that". It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that most people will excel if you walk with them. We are so full of ourselves at times that we cannot see the need for encouragement. We have become so engaged with our own need to excel that we have forgotten that that the real gift is the ability to give for the sake of others. Giving begins with encouraging.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
