3 Excellent Ways to Encourage Others

To encourage someone is to bolster, support, or strengthen them. Who in your life needs to hear a “You can do it” from you?

When I was pregnant with my first child, I called my friend who had a baby at home. I was feeling a little unsettled, and I needed her to get me out of my worry mode. She calmly spoke to me about her experience and cheered me up.

After she helped me change my attitude in those few moments, I could face my day standing a little taller, a little bolder.

I was grateful to her for lifting me up with her words. It was a big thing for me in that moment and just a little time on the phone for her.

Today’s goal is: Call, text, or email someone with a message of encouragement.

Do you know someone who needs your encouragement today? It’s a small effort for the giver, but a big benefit for the receiver.

Actually, it’s a big benefit for the giver too. Standing alongside someone who feels weak can turn your day around.

If you find yourself feeling uninspired or unappreciated, lift up someone who needs a break or is feeling lonely. Give that person a reason to smile again. Your friendly assurances will be remembered by the person you helped, but you’ll also have a feeling of satisfaction that won’t melt away by the end of the day.

Make a list of the people you know who may need a kind word. Here are some suggestions:

1. Pregnant women need encouragement from an understanding friend. They often feel too tired or too big or both. They’re going through a lot of body changes, and hormones are through the roof. They could use a little support and a kind word. I’m sure they wouldn’t refuse a compliment. Text a friend who’s pregnant. Share some love and emojis.
2. Your good friend who is a new mom with a baby at home needs encouragement and probably a nap. She’s basically a zombie because she doesn’t get much sleep at first after bringing home a new family member. Give her a break with an offer to hold her baby, maybe rocking it back to sleep while the mom gets to have a decent adult conversation. That would be welcomed by most of your new mom friends. Text or email your friend and try to schedule a visit.
3. An elderly friend or family member needs encouragement. If you know them well, you probably know exactly what to say to make them smile. You can try to make it a quick call, but if they were feeling lonely, you might want to stay on the phone with them and listen to them tell about the event they attended last week and their plans for next week.

These are excellent ways to encourage someone. But there are more than three ways to do that. I have a list of five additional ways to encourage others in a free downloadable pdf.

Click here to download them. (All I ask is for a quick share of this article in return. Click now, and then share.)

Giving to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims

Billions of dollars of damage was inflicted on the Texans along the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Harvey took homes and jobs from people in 18 Texas counties.

High winds and high water took its toll as the hurricane hit the Corpus Christi area. By the time trillions of gallons of water had been dumped on Texas, rainfall totals were breaking records all through the area. East of Houston, the highest recorded rainfall total was over 51 inches (51.88 inches on Cedar Bayou near Highlands, Texas). The Houston Hobby Airport recorded 33.88 inches. The city of Pasadena recorded over 40 inches.

As soon as people were being dropped off at the George R Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, business owners were thinking about how they could help. Papa John’s Pizza donated 4,000 personal pizzas, and various local restaurant owners donated what they could to help feed the thousands fleeing their flooded homes.

Businesses like HEB grocery stores and Buc-ee’s convenience stores gave food to first responders so they could have one less thing on their minds as they helped the stranded victims. HEB trucks were welcomed as they showed up in disaster relief convoys  to feed Texans  going through hard times.

Those who were rescued from flooded houses should have gotten a Tetanus vaccination by now because of the likelihood of infection. Those who have been volunteering in homes that still have some water inside likely will need to get a Tetanus shot as well. HEB grocery stores in certain hurricane-affected areas have been giving away free Tetanus shots in their pharmacy while supplies last. The Tetanus vaccination helps those who have come into contact with bacteria present in flood waters and debris.

Local newspapers are distributing information to help hurricane victims receive the supplies they need. In Brazoria County, The Facts had an article to share locations for free food and other help. 

Many churches along the Gulf Coast have been organizing volunteer crews to go into homes to tear out soggy drywall and flooring. They are crossing denominational lines and serving the whole community. Volunteers are signing up to help and coming from across America to lend some muscle.

Funds donated to the Harvey Relief Fund through the Bayou City Fellowship website will go directly to the relief efforts. Scroll down their page and hover your mouse over the image that reads "Donate". Bayou City Fellowship is using its own outreach budget to support all the overhead costs associated with the relief effort.  

What’s their motivation? They want to share the love of Jesus and give glory to God for their ability to help.

One woman’s experience was described as a time “when people loved deeply, served tirelessly, and worked in unity.”

Today’s goal is:  Do something. Pick a business, school, or family along the Texas Gulf Coast and give something to make their recovery run more smoothly. Use your gifts, time, supplies, prayer, or money to make a difference in someone’s life.

People are supporting others by donating food directly or giving to food banks. Donations of diapers are a welcome gift for many moms.

If you want to help Texans, you can donate to their recovery via Houston-area charities or contact your Texas friends and find out where they’re getting help. Don’t forget to ask about the needs of local schools. Many schools have lost a lot and will need more supplies and volunteers as they try to get back on track this semester.

Thanks for thinking of others and making your community better.

A Cure for the Negative Mindset

Have you struggled with a negative mindset? Me too. But I was able to face that temptation and turn it around with a positive character trait.

Earlier this year, I was frustrated with the fact that my plan wasn’t happening. I love to create goals and plans and work to make them happen. When they don’t, it makes me wonder what went wrong. Nobody likes failure.

When my plan failed, I had to review my decisions so I didn’t make the same mistake again. Analyzing the process to find the weak link takes time and a lot of focus. At the same time, I had family members who needed my attention, which drew me out of my focus.

How was I going to do my work and maintain my relationships? The answer was right in front of me. I accepted the challenge to rise above my frustration with a 25-day plan that not only helped me, but also helped all those I shared my day with.

Today’s goal: Be attentive.

Find a friend to brainstorm with and choose a positive character trait to use in your problem solving. We’ll use Attentiveness today.

I didn’t want my problem to change how I treated my family, so I had to stop working and give my attention to my family. They love me and need me. Family relationships don’t work well unless you give your attention.

Work relationships also demand your attentiveness.  When you get frustrated by someone at work who always complains and whines, use that character trait and show some love in the situation  by listening to what’s being said. Think about what that complaint means instead of being annoyed by it. You never know what pain someone is hiding in their whining. Keeping a positive mindset is easier when you have a plan and a friend for accountability.

Want to be the heroine who shines the light of love to everyone around her? Me too.

If you have your own copy of my book, HEROINE: Rising to theChallenge, just pick a chapter to work on for one day. At the end of the day, write down what worked for you, what didn’t work, and what you’d like to try differently next time. Write it in a journal so you can encourage yourself as you look back on your progress. I created a Mini-Guide to help out and get the party started.

Help A School Teacher

What if you were your child’s teacher? What if you had a million things to do before school started tomorrow? What if someone offered to help do tasks that didn’t require your personal attention?

You can be that caring individual that shows up with 20 to 30 minutes of spare time to help out with an extra pair of hands.

Today’s goal is: Offer to help your child’s teacher organize pieces of a school project.

When the school year is beginning and there are a lot of things every teacher needs help with, a volunteer is a beautiful sight. My kids’ teachers had sign up sheets to help parents know the areas of need. One teacher needed a library resource parent. Another needed a holiday party organizer. I chose to sign up for the book fair parent team.

If working on an after-school project for your kids’ teacher doesn’t fit your schedule, ask about another area of need. There’s always room for one more caring helper.

Listen to the Lonely

Being a caring person means seeing a need and meeting it. Sometimes it is a simple task. As easy as listening to the lonely.

At a homeless shelter, volunteers showed up to be a part of the Christmas excitement. One of the residents had to explain to her daughters that the presents really were for them. They had never been given Christmas presents before. When those caring volunteers saw the joy on the faces of the children, I think they enjoyed the day almost as much as the little ones. If those people hadn’t heeded the call for volunteers and showed up to help at the shelter, they would’ve missed out on some memorable moments.

We often connect the word lonely with the elderly. Yes, they are the ones whose children have all grown up and don’t come around as much as they used to. They are the ones who still have to perform home maintenance tasks even though they’re not as spry as they use to be. They need people around them for company on quiet days. But they aren’t the only ones who sit at home by themselves.

These days, there are too many families whose adults are working far into the evening or are in traffic so much that their children never eat dinner with them on weekdays. Children sit in front of the TV and eat dinner by themselves in some homes.

Today’s goal is: Take the time to listen.

Many churches offer afterschool programs for these families. The volunteers in these church programs help with homework and provide sports equipment for the kids. But more importantly, they listen to the kids. They provide a place for discussion where the children can voice an opinion and be heard.

Some churches have a ministry to help in nursing homes. A group meets together for prayer and then visits with nursing home residents every week. There are also groups that meets every week to give food to the poor.

Find an organization that needs volunteers and ask about what you can do to help. Or find an elderly neighbor who needs help with a few odd jobs.

Whatever you do to help others, don't forget to stop and listen.

Hospital Visits

Like millions of others, I have spent the night in a hospital. And during my overnight stays, I enjoyed having visitors. They brought encouragement, smiles, and warm feelings. I’m sure I healed more quickly because of their love.

I also have visited others in hospitals for various reasons. I cheered up my mother-in-law with pictures of her grandchildren. I brought flowers to a woman who had just had a baby. I sang Christmas carols with a youth group. And I brought a sack of snack food to a family whose dad was having heart surgery.

I received plenty of verbal thanks, but that’s not why I did it. I know what I felt like during my hospital stays, so if I can comfort others in a similar situation, I’ll do it.

Today’s goal is: Visit someone in a hospital.

Your church may have a list of members who are in the hospital and would enjoy visitors. Churches usually have a prayer list which includes several people in the hospital.

I’ve heard of the family of a new bride bringing wedding flower arrangements to hospitals after the wedding and putting them in the rooms of those who don’t get many visitors.

Even if you don’t bring anything but conversation, there are those who are lonely and would love to have a visit – from anyone. That caring conversation will bless their day and bring an added bonus of healing.

Dream Big

I’ve been to a writer’s conference and missed my usual Monday posting deadline. But I learned a lot while I was gone. In fact, I stuck my toe in some deep waters. I leaned out of the boat, wanting to jump in. However, something in me was hesitant. Something wanted to wait until I was a little more ready before I jumped in.

At the conference, I took several classes to improve my writing skills and several to improve my public speaking skills. But I was too shy to share my stories, either written or spoken, with those in the classes.

In order to accomplish much, I have to dream big. I must act on what I can do right now and build on that. Nobody walks very far if they’re staring at their toes. Look at the horizon with me and see where it takes us.

I was dreaming big at the writer’s conference, but I needed a little encouragement to share. A woman asked me to be her critique partner and help her see her novel from a fresh set of eyes and a different perspective. I jumped at the chance to exchange our chapters for critique.

This was an opportunity I’d wanted for too long. Finally, I could relax in my new relationship with this woman and give and receive encouragement on a regular basis.

Today’s goal is: Start a care group. Gather a group of friends or family members who will meet regularly to help others.

Your group might be three or four friends who take turns helping out one family from your church or neighborhood. After some time, that family might feel the urge to join the group and help someone else.

Your group might be a writers’ group, a mothers’ group, a men’s prayer group, or anything else you see a need for.

You never know how your group will grow. It may grow in popularity so that it blossoms into several groups. But whatever happens, you’ll feel the thrill of seeing someone else’s face light up when they see you coming.

It will change them. But it will also change you.

Be Caring

You’ve seen him. He’s the old man on the corner who’s mower has just broken down. It's Spring in Texas. It's time to trim off the brown grass and let the new growth get some sunlight. He's been eyeing his weeds all week.

You’d go talk to him, but you figure now isn’t the time. He seems pretty disgusted at his predicament.

But really, now is the time. Now is when he needs someone to offer to help him out. He’s pretty independent and wants to get his mower fixed. But don’t you think he’d appreciate your offer to cut his grass just this once while he figures out what he wants to do with his mower?

There’s always someone who needs help with something. They’re just working by themselves because they know everyone else is too busy to help them.

It’s true we’re all busy. But we’re compassionate, caring people too. Being a caring person involves more than just showing respect, lending an ear, or offering to help, but I’ll start with those three things.

We often show respect to policemen, firemen, doctors, and nurses. What would happen to our world if we regularly showed respect to everyone? If we showed respect for the person inside the skin, it would become contagious.

If the old man won’t let you mow his grass, but invites you to stay for a lemonade, maybe his greatest need is a caring person to talk to. Let him know that you have a spare twenty minutes to visit and watch that refreshing smile come over his face.

Being caring means not turning away from an opportunity to help someone who needs it.

Today’s goal is: show your caring heart to someone who needs to see it. Walk down your street and offer your hand to a neighbor who needs help planting flowers or pulling weeds or mowing the lawn.

Always approach with gentleness and ask first. People need caring neighbors, but be careful that you don’t run too fast to an opportunity that you smash up against it like it was a brick wall. Go slow. Have a plan. Be prepared.

There was a little girl wanted a pet so bad she couldn’t wait for her parents to find her one, so she went into the back yard and found a bug. She ran to her mommy and said she found a pet. She lifted her hand to show the bug she held between her thumb and finger.

“Can I hold it?” The mom smiled, determined to allow the girl a moment of joy before the truth was revealed.

The girl pulled back her hands. “No. I don’t want it to fly away.”

“It won’t fly away.”

The girl opened her grip and the bug fell into the mom’s hand, but one of the wings was still stuck to the girl’s thumb and finger. When the girl realized she’d squeezed the bug to death in her excitement, she angrily slapped the bug out of her mommy’s hand, dusted the bug parts off her own hand and wailed through the pain of loss.

We can love our opportunities so much that we smother them or squeeze them to death. We should approach an opportunity as we would a butterfly that’s about to land on our finger. And when we’re through showing respect, lending an ear, or helping out, then let the butterfly fly free. There will be another one later.

Good Deeds

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are taught to care about others. They get a badge for doing a good deed. That’s good training, but when they become adults, they have to do the good deed without the promise of a badge.

Good deeds are usually very simple and quickly done. Most of the time, it’s a matter of showing respect for those around you.

Giving someone your seat on a bus is a common way to show respect. If it prompts conversation from the grateful soul, then listen. Listening to a chatty bus rider may not be what you want to do, but if that simple act for a few blocks can make someone happy, then you can go about your business knowing that person could be passing on to another the respect they received. People caring for people is a good virus to spread.

Today’s goal is: open the door for someone.

At the grocery store, the doors open automatically. But not at the dry cleaner, the post office, or the hair salon. Some buildings have heavy doors that open with great effort. How easy it is to stand at a restaurant door and let the next person out before you let go and head to your car.

Showing others that you care about them makes them feel better, and it sets a good example for witnesses of the thoughtful act.

Keep up the good work, and don’t forget to smile.