E for Encouragement
6:26:00 PM
Life has a way of throwing things our
way when we are least expecting. Difficult situations crop up; doors that were
open close and a pathway suddenly becomes a dead end. Discouragement hits us
quite often more than we expect.
Encouragement offers us courage and the hope
to move forward despite the odds. It’s what can keep us going.
Author Dan Reiland puts it this way, “Encouragement provides the emotional fuel that enables people to hold
longer, reach farther and dig deeper than previously believed possible.”
E-Encouragement
Isn't it true about us that in
everything we do from time to time, we have doubted our capabilities and lacked
self confidence? It was not until someone came alongside and boosted us up that
we actually started to believe in ourselves. It was their encouragement that
made the difference. Some of us wouldn't be where we are today if we did not
receive the encouragement that was needed at those pivotal moments.
I believe deep down every person needs
encouragement. People will go farther than they think they could when someone
else thinks they can. When we take up that mantle to be an encourager; people
will naturally migrate towards us.
Think about this: Our nature is such
that we want to be around people who believe in us. And therefore we tend to
build strong relationships with those who give us the courage and hope to move
forward.
Take Away Principle:
Encouraging
others attracts them toward us. Strong relationships can be forged when we
choose to be an encourager.
1. Choose
to be the encourager. It’s
often easy to spot weaknesses in others, but look for strengths in them first.
2. Point
out their strengths to them. People often know what they are not good at, but
always need someone to tell them what they are good at.
3. Always
offer words of hope and comfort.
47 comments
Some very good points here, Danny! Especially about helping people see their strengths.
ReplyDeleteThanks Beloo! Yeah not many actually help people out with their strengths!
Deletethis one I feel I can do... I did it well many a times in the past but in the last year, had to do it lot... and it was a truly gratifying experience. Many got through their moments of suffering or atleast felt good that someone cared to empathise with them.
ReplyDeleteKeep going, Danny. This A-Z challenge is bringing out the best in you.
Hey Radha! It sure is gratifying to see others soar above! And that's what strengthens relationships...just simply being there can make a difference too!
DeleteAh...A-Z...is sure taking a toll...atleast I am gonna post over 10 posts this year! And now that's a start!
THanks a lot Radha! It means a lot coming from you!
Danny, I am in love with your challenge. Very inspiring and such great advice! Very happy to have found your blog :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Carrie! This is just a few things I've learnt from my own experiences...glad that you like it...yours is an awesome blog too...glad we connected!
DeleteBrilliant advice. I loved the tips totally <3
ReplyDeleteStri
Thank you Srilakshmi!
DeleteInspiring post! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit. Will be a regular visitor from now onwards :D
THank you so much Varun! Looking forward to see more of you here too ;)
DeleteHow so applicable.. I totally agree with how everyone needs an encouragement and also to look out for such good traits in others to appreciate and boost their confidence.. It really reminds me of the Times when I have longed for it and also the Times when my spirit lifted just coz of a simple line of encouraging statement.. :) thanks Danny
ReplyDeleteHEllo this is a surprise! Glad to see you here Feba! THanks for being open about what you experienced here...sure makes a difference...I should be telling you thank you!
DeleteHow so applicable.. I totally agree with how everyone needs an encouragement and also to look out for such good traits in others to appreciate and boost their confidence.. It really reminds me of the Times when I have longed for it and also the Times when my spirit lifted just coz of a simple line of encouraging statement.. :) thanks Danny
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing you typed in from your mobile on this one!
DeleteFabulous advice, Danny! A little encouragement can make a BIG difference!! Like they say, 90% of learning comes through encouragement!!
ReplyDeleteThanks SHilpa! You've written on similar lines as well...n you're right...90% of learning comes through encouragement!
DeleteThis reminded me that if you look for the good in people you will surely find it! I can not tell you how much the encouraging comments I received keeps me going. It makes all the difference in the world. ♥
ReplyDeleteThat's true Kathy...if you seek for it you will find...it's like people digging in the caves for diamonds...you will come across dirt but keep looking for the diamond in midst of the dirt!
DeleteThis is something that I have spent my life making a concentrated effort to do. I especially try to encourage those whom others forget. I am also acutely aware that sometimes we look at people and they seem to have it all together and we forget to 'lift them up'. The fact is, they probably need more encouragement than most as people tend to think the strong don't need it but it is very far from the truth. Like you said, take the time and encourage one another.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's great to hear Carol...I'm sure you have a lot of friends! And you said it well about those who don't seem to need encouragement...they do and it takes real maturity to see that through!
DeleteThe tips are real take-aways ! How quick we are, to criticise, because we can actually do that without being thoughtful enough. But giving encouragement isnt easy, you need to take some effort to do that, right !!
ReplyDeleteLoving your series :)
Couldn't come here yesterday. WE for us here. And I have a smart little darling P running around me at home, so she engages me for the whole day :D
THanks Sreeja! yes, and giving encouragement isn't easy...we are so used to looking at the negative it takes a lot of effort to come out n see something good!
DeleteI can imagine motherhood! Me and Anu are experiencing a new light here!
The fact that two people have written about encouragement in relationships you and shilpa this is no doubt very important for any relationship I must say.
ReplyDeleteRicha
Three actually Richa...Corinne' post blew me away too! every relationship needs an encourager!
DeleteEncouragement is very important in any relationship...it could be as simple as a smile, a hug or nod...lovely post!
ReplyDeleteWOw Aditi! You said it well... even a smile, hug or nod can go a long way...Thanks for the compliment!
DeleteInspirational post. I find that when I encourage my kids by positive comments they do better. And why focus on weaknesses when you can focus on someone's strength and make them greater. Thanks for dropping by my post.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Suzy! AS parents, I believe we carry a huge mantle to encourage our children! They go farther much faster!
DeleteValid points and important too!
ReplyDeleteRandom Thoughts Naba
Thanks Naba!
DeleteA very insightful write up . The last points were really good . I liked the first one most .
ReplyDeleteWell , I like your insightful posts and your blog . Would like to gift you with the Sunshine Award...hope you accept it from a junior dentist :)
http://drsushreedash.blogspot.in/2014/04/here-comes-my-first-blog-award.html
Thank you so much Sushree...I came to know about the award while I was there on your blog!
DeleteVery insightful post. love this line: Choose to be the encourager. It’s often easy to spot weaknesses in others, but look for strengths in them first.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. Something that I try to live by :)
*Shailaja*
Introspection in Shades of 11
A to Z Challenge, 2014/ UBC, April 2014
THank you so much SHailaja! IT's amazing how relationships can change when we start taking an initiative!
DeleteExcellent encouraging post on encouragement Danny:-) Yes, looking for the strong sides in others in stead of their weak sides ... And then lift them up... Something to live after, I truly believe. And what goes around comes around, right?:-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Eli! What goes around comes around! Wish everyone really did so :-) encouraging each other... the world would be a far better place! Thank you so much!
DeleteBrilliant write up Danny. I loved the points you mentioned about encouragement. It's important to know how to point our mistakes in a cordial and encouraging way so that others don't feel intimidated.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rajlakshmi! Yes, you're absolutely right when you say that!
DeleteVery insightful post, Danny! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
DeleteTrue.Encouragment in any discipline goes a lond way...To a relative,at work place,at home......
ReplyDeleteIt is also true that encouraging others is an art,not everyone can do it
Thanks BK...while it is an art...I do believe we can all do it at some levels!
DeleteVery true.
ReplyDeleteI personally follow all the tips and have enabled quite a few people transform themselves from 'mediocre' to 'excellent'.
Wow that's a great one PI... not many really take time to do that to others these days!
DeleteEncouragement is a long word, but it easy to give. A small sign can do wonders. It can change the fate of those whom you ENCOURAGE in life.
ReplyDeleteYOu said it well! It's a long word but definitely easy to give! And yes, it can change the fate of those whom we give it to!
DeleteEncouraging others doesn't come naturally to me, but because I'm aware of that little fact, I put forth extra effort in order to do so. Still, I'm not a very sympathetic person, which usually results in drill-sergeant snark instead of uplifting encouragement. But your post covers many good points, ones I have logged in my mind to think about when I encounter people needing encouragement.
ReplyDelete