For Inktober this year I am working with black paper. The first brand I bought was horrible! It bent easily, the ink did not adhere well, and when I turned a page in the booklet, the paper pages ripped…UGH!!! So several days in I had to change quickly and find another solution. Still black paper, different brand, different size. All while I was experiencing this paper dilemma, my friend who was ‘playing’ in our studio provided support and suggestions…just what I needed at the right time. These words from George Matthew Adams fit the bill precisely:
There are high spots in our lives and most come about through encouragement from someone else.
– George Matthew Adams 1962
No matter who we are or where we are in life, we can always use encouragement. It could be in the form of words, a hug, a pat on the back, a nice email, maybe even a meal to help us get past the tough spots. However it is delivered, encouragement can be the thing that bridges the gap between giving up and persevering to win the day. Encouragement is what can help us fend off those negative thoughts lurking between our ears, the voices in our head of past failures, and simple words can even spur us towards a new direction that solves our problem completely. We might never have moved forward if someone had not offered us the inspiration we needed.
Now lets’ look at encouragement from another side, the side of the giver. This is the person providing what’s needed to get someone past that sticking point. It starts with listening, paying attention and not trying to solve everything. Kindness then needs to be employed to ensure that the words or deeds match the situation. Vulnerable and frustrated people are not always ready to be told what to do, so it’s better to ask questions to help them think towards their own solution. What questions to ask? How about starting with an easy one, “How can I help?” Then waiting as the person gives us permission to step along side and provide the encouragement they need. No one likes to be told what to do, everyone appreciates support even if it is just in the form of a hug. Sometimes just checking in to see how it’s going, to listen as they vent is enough to get them past the crack in their plan. One size does not fit all here, encouragement needs to fit the audience more than it fits your ego.
I think back to the times when I had people encouraging me, spurring me on to complete the project or challenging me to ask more of myself. Their kindness, words of inspiration and support helped me be a better me. Take time today to find someone who may need some encouragement, and be ready to give no matter how small or simple. The right words at the right time can change someone’s world!
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