A
Little Encouragement Can Go A Long Way
Webster’s
Dictionary states: Encourage-vb 1. To make bold 2. To urge on
n-encouragement.
I really would have thought there would be more
definitions for this. I just feel that
encouragement can be so many things, but I suppose it is as defined, just shown
in many ways.
I’m sure you’ve noticed I love to use my two year old
granddaughter as an example. I have seen
her little face go from determination to defeat, but with persistence it then
goes to victory all in the span of about three minutes. She will set out to accomplish something,
open a container, reach an item on the counter, put a puzzle piece in, you know
– that sorta thing. She is trying so
hard, but when it doesn’t happen quickly she will say “I can’t do it” and give
up. Depending on whether she’s had her
nap that day or not, there are a couple different ways to handle this. Let it go at “I can’t” and do it for her, to
which she will usually reply “thank you.”
Ask her if she would like some help, which will either get a “yes, will
you help me?” or a “no, I can’t do it – you do it.” Or, encourage her to try again – especially
if it is something I know she can do. I
tend to go the encouragement route, sometimes she may need a little help as well,
but most times she just needs that verbal confirmation that I believe in her
and think she can do it. More times than
not, with a halfway descent attempt, she can accomplish her goal… and when she
does - oh the triumphant joy that comes across her face is picture worthy.
That sense of accomplishment is such a wonderful feeling,
it just bolsters you up and makes you puff up your chest and say “Wow – I did
it!”
Encouragement is not just for little children
either. School aged kids often need a
little encouragement. I remember being
the last person on the softball team to strike out and lose the game, ugh. That feels horrible. The proper perspective on that may not be
easily seen by someone wallowing in self pity because the whole team blames
them. A simple “you’ll get ‘em next
time” (followed by an ice cream – grin)
can help out a lot.
Teens? HA! I remember trying to teach my older boy to
drive a stick shift, which is the vehicle we had for him to drive. Oh boy, the first time he tried it – stall…
stall….. jerk, jerk, whiplash, stall.
That was it! He jumped out of the
car, slammed the door and yelled something about the stupid car. Chuckle. That was it for that day, but we kept at it
and I continued to tell him he could do it, he just needed to practice. Now, yup – you guessed it – he drives a
stick. Grin.
How about adults?
Sure, we all could use some encouragement. This article actually came about because two
total strangers gave me some encouragement about my business last weekend. One gentleman said to me, “Excellent. Good job.
Keep working your passion.” The
other wrote, “Please keep up the good
work.” It’s nice to get some encouraging
words about your work.
Well, I’m sure you get the
point and I’ve gone on long enough. Just
remember your words can build someone up or tear them down, use them carefully.
