Feeling afraid can be debilitating. Fear will freeze progress if you allow it to. I have been afraid. It is not a nice feeling. Other words associated with fear are: anxiety, worry, concern...the list could go on. Whats happens when fear enters our world? Many things can happen but I want to focus on one thing and that is what I call the BIG FREEZE. It's when you are so paralyzed with fear that you are stuck. It is when fear so grips you that you stop living for a while. You focus more on fear than you do on living and working out solutions.
I am a diabetic and I have to watch my feet constantly because I have neuropathy. I feel pain but not like the average person. While I was on vacation at Walt Disney World, I began to feel a lot of pain on the bottom of my right foot. I went back to my hotel room and found a huge blood blister on the bottom of my foot. If you know anything about diabetes, you know that a blister can turn into a complete disaster. I was shocked and began to feel really afraid. I calmed down and decided to call my foot doctor. He phoned me back, told me what to do, and called me in an antibiotic.
The point is, if I had allowed fear to control me, I would not have acted quickly and possibly could have done something to cause infection and have really been in trouble. My wife encouraged me to do the right thing and I was able to focus.
When you are in the grip of fear, let me encourage you to do the following:
1. Calm down
2. Pray - prayer brings clarity
3. Think
4. Allow people to bring proper perspective
5. Plan
6. Act on your plan
These things will help you in the midst of fear. When you are working with people struggling with fear don't preach or be negative. Be there and be a friend. Listen and ask what you can do to help.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Encouragement and Uncertainty
Have you ever wondered about the future? Ever just had moments of anxiety wondering how everything will end up? I have. When I have those moments, I try to find someone to encourage. I can't stand staying in a state of anxiety. I think everyone has had days of uncertainty. Just look at our world and the way it is rapidly moving toward more unrest.
Encouraging words help settle the soul. Everyone faces days of uncertainty. The word "uncertainty" means that we don't know, or can't control outcomes as we would like. We are all in the thing called "life" together. There will be ups and downs and days when we just scratch our heads and keep moving forward. When I say "encouraging words help settle the soul" I don't mean that everything will turn out the way we like things to, but encouraging words can settle our hearts as we move through uncertain days.
Words of encouragement can bring stability to an organization that wonders about what the future might bring. Even in times of great uncertainty and unrest there needs to be a voice that helps us navigate to calmer waters. Sure, things might look bleak, but the assurance that we can grow and learn through those tough times is encouragement in itself. I work with people who have lost relationships, homes, financial security, and even health. I try to speak encouraging words that bring life to a soul. People just need to know that they can grow and learn.
People find peace in the midst of uncertain times through words of encouragement. There is power in words. Words can build up and settle the soul or tear down and bring unrest and war. You can choose. If you are in the midst of uncertain days, find someone to encourage. It will calm the storm in your heart and help you to grow and learn. I know it sounds crazy. But when you focus on positive and encouraging words your soul will find rest. When you use your gifts to encourage another person in uncertain times it can actually bring peace to your soul and help you to focus on what you need for peace in uncertain times.
So be encouraged. Grow., learn, and look to the future with confidence in uncertain times. Look for someone to encourage. When you encourage someone else you will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Encouraging words help settle the soul. Everyone faces days of uncertainty. The word "uncertainty" means that we don't know, or can't control outcomes as we would like. We are all in the thing called "life" together. There will be ups and downs and days when we just scratch our heads and keep moving forward. When I say "encouraging words help settle the soul" I don't mean that everything will turn out the way we like things to, but encouraging words can settle our hearts as we move through uncertain days.
Words of encouragement can bring stability to an organization that wonders about what the future might bring. Even in times of great uncertainty and unrest there needs to be a voice that helps us navigate to calmer waters. Sure, things might look bleak, but the assurance that we can grow and learn through those tough times is encouragement in itself. I work with people who have lost relationships, homes, financial security, and even health. I try to speak encouraging words that bring life to a soul. People just need to know that they can grow and learn.
People find peace in the midst of uncertain times through words of encouragement. There is power in words. Words can build up and settle the soul or tear down and bring unrest and war. You can choose. If you are in the midst of uncertain days, find someone to encourage. It will calm the storm in your heart and help you to grow and learn. I know it sounds crazy. But when you focus on positive and encouraging words your soul will find rest. When you use your gifts to encourage another person in uncertain times it can actually bring peace to your soul and help you to focus on what you need for peace in uncertain times.
So be encouraged. Grow., learn, and look to the future with confidence in uncertain times. Look for someone to encourage. When you encourage someone else you will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Encouragement When Feeling Unworthy
A definition of grace is "an unmerited favor given to one that is undeserving". The mere mention of the word human suggests imperfection. Imperfection pretty much describes my life. I have hurt people, let people down, said things...done things. There are days that I wish I could turn back the clock and start over. The reality is you can't turn back the clock. Do I ever feel unworthy? You bet I do.
So how do you encourage someone who feels like a failure or feels like they are so unworthy? You walk with them and listen. There are people who ride the self-exalted horse of perfection. They never have made a mistake and they know how to judge, criticize, and condemn. They can't see that the words of condemnation they speak amplifies imperfection. I have been in preaching services filled with condemnation and have asked myself, "I wonder...will I make it to heaven?"
Let's get something straight, everyone needs grace. Some, more than others, will feel unworthy of a second chance or unworthy of love because of negative words spoken to them in life. Encouraging the heart means you stop, look, and listen. Stop what you are doing and hear the one who feels unworthy. Look at the person who feels unworthy and let them know that they are a human being who deserves to be looked at. Listen to that someone who feels unworthy. Listen to their heart. Don't preach, condemn, or judge. Just listen. Remember, everyone is in need of grace. Even the self-righteous are in need of grace. Why? Because they can't see themselves.
So if you encounter someone who feels unworthy, encourage them! When you do, you will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
So how do you encourage someone who feels like a failure or feels like they are so unworthy? You walk with them and listen. There are people who ride the self-exalted horse of perfection. They never have made a mistake and they know how to judge, criticize, and condemn. They can't see that the words of condemnation they speak amplifies imperfection. I have been in preaching services filled with condemnation and have asked myself, "I wonder...will I make it to heaven?"
Let's get something straight, everyone needs grace. Some, more than others, will feel unworthy of a second chance or unworthy of love because of negative words spoken to them in life. Encouraging the heart means you stop, look, and listen. Stop what you are doing and hear the one who feels unworthy. Look at the person who feels unworthy and let them know that they are a human being who deserves to be looked at. Listen to that someone who feels unworthy. Listen to their heart. Don't preach, condemn, or judge. Just listen. Remember, everyone is in need of grace. Even the self-righteous are in need of grace. Why? Because they can't see themselves.
So if you encounter someone who feels unworthy, encourage them! When you do, you will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Encouragement and The Dark Night
The dark night...maybe you have been there. It is a season when things turn black. Maybe death has invaded your life. Maybe divorce has clouded your mind. Maybe you have just hit a wall and you have lost passion. St. Augustine called it "the dark night of the soul". It is a season or seasons that you walk through when dark clouds move in and you are fighting to stay alive.
Encouraging the heart is about confronting the dark night with a stable and sensitive presence. It is walking with another human being without judgment. It is showing compassion. It is offering a cup of cold water to one who is fighting to stay alive. It is honestly putting aside selfishness and doing what is right.
I have met people who have faced the dark night without comfort, care, or the concern of others. It amazes me how cruel people can be. It amazes me how people forget that the one thing that sets us apart from being animals is the ability to show kindness and compassion. I have watched humans ignore others while they struggle with the dark night. God help us, please...
Encouraging the heart is about offering a word of hope. Encouraging the heart is about offering a word of courage. Encouraging the heart is about getting dirty with humanity. You know, honestly putting yourself in the shoes of one who is walking in the dark night of the soul and offering yourself, your presence, your touch.
I dare you to embrace the one who is currently walking through the dark night of the soul. Try going beyond yourself into a life who needs your presence. I am thinking about hot dogs. Yup...hot dogs. I am remembering how I used to help serve hot dogs on summer afternoons to kids in need, to kids who never asked to be poor, to parents who were too ashamed to come out of their low-income apartments to get a free hot dog. Eventually they did emerge but only if they thought they were safe.
Be a safe place for another person. Encourage their heart by walking with them. I was criticised for serving hot dogs. I think I need to ignore the voices and serve hot dogs again. It's good for me. It's good for others.
Try encouraging someone this week. When you do you will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Encouraging the heart is about confronting the dark night with a stable and sensitive presence. It is walking with another human being without judgment. It is showing compassion. It is offering a cup of cold water to one who is fighting to stay alive. It is honestly putting aside selfishness and doing what is right.
I have met people who have faced the dark night without comfort, care, or the concern of others. It amazes me how cruel people can be. It amazes me how people forget that the one thing that sets us apart from being animals is the ability to show kindness and compassion. I have watched humans ignore others while they struggle with the dark night. God help us, please...
Encouraging the heart is about offering a word of hope. Encouraging the heart is about offering a word of courage. Encouraging the heart is about getting dirty with humanity. You know, honestly putting yourself in the shoes of one who is walking in the dark night of the soul and offering yourself, your presence, your touch.
I dare you to embrace the one who is currently walking through the dark night of the soul. Try going beyond yourself into a life who needs your presence. I am thinking about hot dogs. Yup...hot dogs. I am remembering how I used to help serve hot dogs on summer afternoons to kids in need, to kids who never asked to be poor, to parents who were too ashamed to come out of their low-income apartments to get a free hot dog. Eventually they did emerge but only if they thought they were safe.
Be a safe place for another person. Encourage their heart by walking with them. I was criticised for serving hot dogs. I think I need to ignore the voices and serve hot dogs again. It's good for me. It's good for others.
Try encouraging someone this week. When you do you will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Encouragement and Friendship
We were not meant to live isolated lives. The longer you live, the more you understand the need to live in the context of community. We are bombarded with fears. We are overwhelmed with negativity. The truth is, we really do need each other. We need the encouraging word and affirmation that only comes through friendships.
Encouraging the heart is about developing friendships. How do you develop friendships? You recognize the gifts in others. When was the last time YOU reached out to someone. When was the last time YOU called forth the gifts in others. When you cultivate the goodness in others, friendships open up and authentic community happens. Stop waiting for people to come to you. Stop looking for the perfect friend. Start seeing what is obvious. There are many people who would be YOUR friend if YOU cultivated the relationship.
Encouraging the heart is about becoming an encourager and investing yourself in others. There are steps in developing deep relationships:
1. Stop being negative - you will be able to share your heart but it takes time.
2. Affirm others - I think you understand this one.
3. Don't talk about people - if you put down others you will scare away the relationship you want to cultivate. Constant put-downs of others will remind the person that eventually the put downs will land on their door step.
4. Stop finding fault - if you want to see imperfection, then look at yourself.
5. Give space - don't suffocate a relationship.
6. Don't stereotype - I drive a beat up truck. That doesn't mean I'm a redneck. I live on a limited budget maybe that's all I can afford. True friendships move beyond shallowness.
7. Be a safe place - when you become a safe place you will soon have friends and deep relationships.
I have a friend with whom I can be authentic with. I don't see him daily or weekly. When we are together it is safe. We can speak our hearts. We laugh, get mad, and enjoy life for the moment. When we leave each other's presence we feel better about ourselves. He doesn't beat me up. He doesn't put me down. He is a true friend. I have asked him to do my funeral, if I have one...I may give my body to science. It's cheaper than a funeral. Enough of that.
Okay, so be an encourager. Be a healer. Maybe it's time you grow beyond yourself. Maybe it's your season to be the mature one and look beyond yourself to see the gift in others. Find someone to build up and encourage today. When you do you will change your world one person a a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Encouraging the heart is about developing friendships. How do you develop friendships? You recognize the gifts in others. When was the last time YOU reached out to someone. When was the last time YOU called forth the gifts in others. When you cultivate the goodness in others, friendships open up and authentic community happens. Stop waiting for people to come to you. Stop looking for the perfect friend. Start seeing what is obvious. There are many people who would be YOUR friend if YOU cultivated the relationship.
Encouraging the heart is about becoming an encourager and investing yourself in others. There are steps in developing deep relationships:
1. Stop being negative - you will be able to share your heart but it takes time.
2. Affirm others - I think you understand this one.
3. Don't talk about people - if you put down others you will scare away the relationship you want to cultivate. Constant put-downs of others will remind the person that eventually the put downs will land on their door step.
4. Stop finding fault - if you want to see imperfection, then look at yourself.
5. Give space - don't suffocate a relationship.
6. Don't stereotype - I drive a beat up truck. That doesn't mean I'm a redneck. I live on a limited budget maybe that's all I can afford. True friendships move beyond shallowness.
7. Be a safe place - when you become a safe place you will soon have friends and deep relationships.
I have a friend with whom I can be authentic with. I don't see him daily or weekly. When we are together it is safe. We can speak our hearts. We laugh, get mad, and enjoy life for the moment. When we leave each other's presence we feel better about ourselves. He doesn't beat me up. He doesn't put me down. He is a true friend. I have asked him to do my funeral, if I have one...I may give my body to science. It's cheaper than a funeral. Enough of that.
Okay, so be an encourager. Be a healer. Maybe it's time you grow beyond yourself. Maybe it's your season to be the mature one and look beyond yourself to see the gift in others. Find someone to build up and encourage today. When you do you will change your world one person a a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Encouragement and Humility
Encouraging the heart is about humility. It is about knowing where you have come from. It is looking at your faults and failures and remembering. Remembering what? Remembering where you have come from. There is no place for arrogance. There is no place for condemnation. It is about taking the hard lessons in life and encouraging another person to get up, overcome and excel.
I have worked with people over time. I have watched people hit hard times. I have helped many people out of ditches. I have watched with amazement how people will recover and become arrogant and self centered. Encouraging the heart is about helping others along the way. Encouraging the heart is about losing arrogance and a judgmental spirit.
Encouraging the heart speaks truth. The truth is spoken through the eyes of compassion and experience. Everyone needs compassion. Everyone needs help along the way without a judgmental spirit, without condemnation. Encouraging the heart is not about an "anything goes, oh well" attitude. Encouraging the heart is about looking at life and helping others avoid the mistakes we have made.
It takes a strong person to weather life. One of the places that opens my eyes to the power of encouragement is any children's hospital. I have been in several children's hospitals and watched the need for hope and encouragement in the eyes of parents and children. The people who really amaze me are the children. Many times it's the child who has cancer reaching out to a parent, encouraging the heart and saying everything will be okay. It's the humility of a child that speaks volumes about encouragement. When a child reaches out to a parent to assure the parent that all will be okay without condemnation or negativity, you know you are in the presence of greatness.
I challenge you today to look for someone beyond yourself, your family, or your close circle of friends to encourage. You will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
I have worked with people over time. I have watched people hit hard times. I have helped many people out of ditches. I have watched with amazement how people will recover and become arrogant and self centered. Encouraging the heart is about helping others along the way. Encouraging the heart is about losing arrogance and a judgmental spirit.
Encouraging the heart speaks truth. The truth is spoken through the eyes of compassion and experience. Everyone needs compassion. Everyone needs help along the way without a judgmental spirit, without condemnation. Encouraging the heart is not about an "anything goes, oh well" attitude. Encouraging the heart is about looking at life and helping others avoid the mistakes we have made.
It takes a strong person to weather life. One of the places that opens my eyes to the power of encouragement is any children's hospital. I have been in several children's hospitals and watched the need for hope and encouragement in the eyes of parents and children. The people who really amaze me are the children. Many times it's the child who has cancer reaching out to a parent, encouraging the heart and saying everything will be okay. It's the humility of a child that speaks volumes about encouragement. When a child reaches out to a parent to assure the parent that all will be okay without condemnation or negativity, you know you are in the presence of greatness.
I challenge you today to look for someone beyond yourself, your family, or your close circle of friends to encourage. You will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Encouragement and The Unkown
Negative people drive me insane. There is always someone there to say, "Hasn't worked before, it won't work now." OK...maybe some things haven't worked before, but that doesn't mean you stop trying. Encouraging the heart means you never stop saying positive life-giving words. The unknown is an amazing place of opportunities. Sure there will be challenges, but challenges create opportunities.
Encouraging the heart always looks at the challenges of life as opportunities. Look at the unknown as a great a great adventure...a chance to overcome...a chance to excel. General Douglas McArthur said, “Every great venture in the history of man has begun with faith and a giant leap into the unknown”. So I say leave the naysayer's behind. Dream big and expect big.
As a leader you are expected to navigate your organization through all kinds of unknowns. You learn along the way. Board the ship and learn to navigate. Learn to navigate in both calm and stormy waters. Always put people around you that will support the vision. Never give up. Never believe that negativity will give good results.
There was a time in my life when I wanted to give up. The inner voice said, "Navigate into the unknown regardless of fear...regardless of the lack of security...regardless of the naysayers. Go to work and embrace the unknown as a great opportunity." We need encouragement to face the unknown. We need the cheerleaders that say don't give up...try again...you can do it! I need to encourage someone every day. Why? Because encouraging someone to face the unknown will ignite hope. Hope never disappoints us. I believe that the encouragement I give others will in time come back to me when I am in need.
I challenge you to look at the unknown as a great opportunity for you to face your fears and excel. Take hold of the future. Look at it square in the eye. Never quit...never give up. Many people fear death. I don't...death is a gateway into the great unknown. I know I will die. I want to face that great day as a time of graduating to the great unknown. I hope I get to encourage someone as I take my last breath. Why? With encouraging words comes new life...new hope...new opportunities. I want to give the gift of encouragement. I want to breathe life into another human being. That really is the greatest gift.
OK...be encouraged to face the unknown. I want to encourage you to look at your obstacles as great opportunities. When you overcome - and you will - give the gift of encouragement to someone else. When you do, you will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
Encouraging the heart always looks at the challenges of life as opportunities. Look at the unknown as a great a great adventure...a chance to overcome...a chance to excel. General Douglas McArthur said, “Every great venture in the history of man has begun with faith and a giant leap into the unknown”. So I say leave the naysayer's behind. Dream big and expect big.
As a leader you are expected to navigate your organization through all kinds of unknowns. You learn along the way. Board the ship and learn to navigate. Learn to navigate in both calm and stormy waters. Always put people around you that will support the vision. Never give up. Never believe that negativity will give good results.
There was a time in my life when I wanted to give up. The inner voice said, "Navigate into the unknown regardless of fear...regardless of the lack of security...regardless of the naysayers. Go to work and embrace the unknown as a great opportunity." We need encouragement to face the unknown. We need the cheerleaders that say don't give up...try again...you can do it! I need to encourage someone every day. Why? Because encouraging someone to face the unknown will ignite hope. Hope never disappoints us. I believe that the encouragement I give others will in time come back to me when I am in need.
I challenge you to look at the unknown as a great opportunity for you to face your fears and excel. Take hold of the future. Look at it square in the eye. Never quit...never give up. Many people fear death. I don't...death is a gateway into the great unknown. I know I will die. I want to face that great day as a time of graduating to the great unknown. I hope I get to encourage someone as I take my last breath. Why? With encouraging words comes new life...new hope...new opportunities. I want to give the gift of encouragement. I want to breathe life into another human being. That really is the greatest gift.
OK...be encouraged to face the unknown. I want to encourage you to look at your obstacles as great opportunities. When you overcome - and you will - give the gift of encouragement to someone else. When you do, you will change your world one person at a time.
Be Encouraged,
Rick
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