I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best in a person is by appreciation and encouragement. —Charles M. Schwab
The tragedy is that some children never receive a word of encouragement - not from a teacher, neighbour or parent. A terrible deprivation - equivalent to a lack of food.
May we all make an effort to encourage wherever and whenever we can.
I immediately thought of these Scripture verses when I read your comment: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear ... be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:29, 32)
Good post! It reminds me of a man who 'sang' in my church choir when I was a boy. I remember that as the choir sang, he wore a smile that stretched from ear to ear and worshipped with an enthusiasm I have rarely seen in my choral music experience. It was not until years later that I learned he was completely deaf. I also learned he mouthed the words. He did not vocalize a single note.
This worship leader taught me that, often times, we do not need to 'hear' the voices or the notes to sing - not in choir and not in life - in order to do the right thing. He taught me that I do not need a 'soundtrack' or outside 'voices' to do what I am created by God to do: worship Him.
What I really appreciate as my 'life road' narrows on this mortal plane is how the sweet moments in my life are coming to the surface--much more so than when I was 'busy' with life as a mother and career person. The Bible stories I learned in Sunday School are also VERY precious to me - honestly--you cannot beat the Bible for TRUTH, JUSTICE AND SOMETIMES SKULLDUGGERY (remember the stories of the spies going into Canaan - and Abram and Sarai on their sojourns when Abraham lied to the king of some pagan nation they were visiting stating that Sarai was his sister instead of his wife (because he knew the king 'liked' Sarai and was hoping to divert the king from killing himself and his caravan). There's just so many INTERESTING TALES from Holy Writ, I could go on and on!!
You are my people. Seriously. :) From ‘Felt Board’ stories about Moses and the Red Sea when I was 7 years old to now (decades later!) returning to the Psalms and studying the backstories of its authors (e.g. Asaph as the Worship Leader-Warrior Son of Korah …?!? I love it!), this ‘narrowing road’ offers some amazing views!
Indeed it does, Thomas - "train up a child in the way he/she should go and when he/she is old, he/she shall NOT depart from it"....the communist demagogues understand this precept VERY well!
Good Evening! Of course, you can share it! And, I have no problem at all with you including my name (I learned long ago that if I am willing to put something in writing, then I should be alright with taking attribution for what I wrote!).
We had a older man in church that was a hummer. he was a long-time choir member, & he had even sung solos in his younger days, and as he got older, he only hummed his part. But he also hummed all the time, very low, almost inperceptively, like a radio on the easy listening channel in the other room.... but if you were near him, you heard the hums & knew he was humming the old hymns, the ones you had heard all your life & loved.
I really like that! I was once in a choir with someone who had an amazing voice. In fact, she had recorded multiple albums. She was much like the man you describe. Always understated, and always an old hymn at the ready. She modelled humility in worship, a lesson I needed to learn. I miss singing with her! And, while I am at it, I LOVE the hymnal! I am so very grateful that I was reared in a church with often-used hymnals. I learned many great Biblical truths from them, truths I cling to more and more as I grow older.
By the way, TriTorch, you and I had a valuable exchange on discouragement and encouragement about a year ago. It was on my post about (imaginary) mint candies: DiscourageMints and EncourageMints:
In the spirit of encouragement: count me as a huge fan of the wit and skill that goes into your art and satire. It can be bitingly insightful or poignantly hilarious, or both at the same time.
Creator, bless and keep those of us who are deemed to be sheep - Safe from the harm of those unaccountable. As we mean no harm! Our direction is for nothing more than beauty and safety, that for which is your/our protection in the coming times.
We do not look to sickness, for troubles, or for those who have years of experience in deception. Deceiving, can lead others into temptation without knowledge of much - We must walk the "Red Path", be none other than the kindness and goodliness to those around us, we expect to have proven to be, loving, beautiful and kind - while not allowing others to take advantage of our good nature and bright light.
We are but animate stardust, by every empirical measure of the human condition. But, like consciousness in artificial intelligence, the spirit of animation is ignored. Are you a machine? Can a machine distinguish the sacred from the profane? Can you? If so, thank God; if not, consider rebooting.
My mentor stated the above titled aphorism. He also said that people respond to simple caring. Do you care for others? Do they respond with appreciation? People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. It could be that simple caring is the manifestation of consciousness.
Be conscious, be human, be all that you can be. Be neither automatic, nor subject to influence. Truth is what works; be skeptical of verisimilitude, especially if it does not work. This is how your ancestors survived; you forge a bond with them (who deserve your worship) when you not only survive, but thrive. And give a thought to repaying them by producing your very own product: children. Then you experience Life Everlasting in the Heaven on Earth created by you. Thus it has ever been. Amen.
An unkind word can hurt a child for life. An adult can often shake off hurtful words, but a child feels them more deeply. I remember as a little girl I was happy to wear shorts to play in. I would visit my father in the summer. One day he laughed at me and told me that I had knock-knees. As an adult I never wore anything above my knees. I was too ashamed.
Children do need positive attention and taught how to think about attaining goals in life. They need to know that we all have gifts in life and that we should appreciate them.
Thank you for sharing this article. It’s inspiring.
Sarahanne thank you for your comment, such a sad story. A similar event happened to me: someone once commented on my white legs as a kid and I rarely wore shorts again for decades. Words are so incredibly powerful, for good or ill, especially to impressionable children, and the worse part is your dad probably had no idea how his flippant words cut you, which is what makes their limitless ability to inspire equalled only by their danger. Loose lips really can sink ships.
I've appended the wonderful poem you submitted to the end. This article keeps getting more rich thanks to people like you. And hopefully it will serve as a reminder to those who read it, of the sheer power of their words and the responsibility that rides along with them.
There's a lesson to be learned from that homily, T.T. - "Turn a DEAF EAR to the naysayers".
BTW...I have been trying all afternoon to respond to your very gracious private message to me today - and my browser has been "goofing off"...so NOW, I will tell you my "spiritual gift" is ENCOURAGEMENT. My German surname (married one) means "Evening Beautiful" OR "Beautiful Evening"....thus my moniker - (smile).
It’s right at home in this article, thank you for allowing me to add it without asking first. And Thank you so much for sharing your enlightening experience with Sarah. She is going to go far
Thank you, if you’d like to crosspost this article it may be beneficial to your readers. My goal is to make the world a better place, and that frog story is a powerful reminder of how powerful words are
What a lovely parable. The frog who made it out was an optimist. I assume the best and sometimes I'm right. Even when I'm wrong about people, I try to find the reason they were cruel and every time it's because they are reacting from an internalized wound they've suffered. So I've decided I'm never wrong about people.
The frogs brought me to tears! Just amazing. I agree so wholeheartedly! Encouragement is gold. Why don't we do it more? Should ones friends all be encouraging? I say yes. Failing to encourage is a concealed kind of sin.
Thank you for posting this.
The tragedy is that some children never receive a word of encouragement - not from a teacher, neighbour or parent. A terrible deprivation - equivalent to a lack of food.
May we all make an effort to encourage wherever and whenever we can.
I immediately thought of these Scripture verses when I read your comment: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear ... be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:29, 32)
That verse went straight into the article with credit to you Thomas, thank you.
Thank You. I appreciate you.
Love it!! Brings tears to my eyes!
Liked. Thank you. An inspiring quote - much appreciated.
Good post! It reminds me of a man who 'sang' in my church choir when I was a boy. I remember that as the choir sang, he wore a smile that stretched from ear to ear and worshipped with an enthusiasm I have rarely seen in my choral music experience. It was not until years later that I learned he was completely deaf. I also learned he mouthed the words. He did not vocalize a single note.
This worship leader taught me that, often times, we do not need to 'hear' the voices or the notes to sing - not in choir and not in life - in order to do the right thing. He taught me that I do not need a 'soundtrack' or outside 'voices' to do what I am created by God to do: worship Him.
I would imagine this dear person "felt" the music through the vibrations of the united voices! What a PRECIOUS story, A. Thomas!
That I remember it lets me know it left quite a 'mark' on me. ;)
What I really appreciate as my 'life road' narrows on this mortal plane is how the sweet moments in my life are coming to the surface--much more so than when I was 'busy' with life as a mother and career person. The Bible stories I learned in Sunday School are also VERY precious to me - honestly--you cannot beat the Bible for TRUTH, JUSTICE AND SOMETIMES SKULLDUGGERY (remember the stories of the spies going into Canaan - and Abram and Sarai on their sojourns when Abraham lied to the king of some pagan nation they were visiting stating that Sarai was his sister instead of his wife (because he knew the king 'liked' Sarai and was hoping to divert the king from killing himself and his caravan). There's just so many INTERESTING TALES from Holy Writ, I could go on and on!!
You are my people. Seriously. :) From ‘Felt Board’ stories about Moses and the Red Sea when I was 7 years old to now (decades later!) returning to the Psalms and studying the backstories of its authors (e.g. Asaph as the Worship Leader-Warrior Son of Korah …?!? I love it!), this ‘narrowing road’ offers some amazing views!
Indeed it does, Thomas - "train up a child in the way he/she should go and when he/she is old, he/she shall NOT depart from it"....the communist demagogues understand this precept VERY well!
Can I share this story please?! With or without your name or perhaps other tribute?
Good Evening! Of course, you can share it! And, I have no problem at all with you including my name (I learned long ago that if I am willing to put something in writing, then I should be alright with taking attribution for what I wrote!).
Wow! ❤️❤️❤️
We had a older man in church that was a hummer. he was a long-time choir member, & he had even sung solos in his younger days, and as he got older, he only hummed his part. But he also hummed all the time, very low, almost inperceptively, like a radio on the easy listening channel in the other room.... but if you were near him, you heard the hums & knew he was humming the old hymns, the ones you had heard all your life & loved.
I really like that! I was once in a choir with someone who had an amazing voice. In fact, she had recorded multiple albums. She was much like the man you describe. Always understated, and always an old hymn at the ready. She modelled humility in worship, a lesson I needed to learn. I miss singing with her! And, while I am at it, I LOVE the hymnal! I am so very grateful that I was reared in a church with often-used hymnals. I learned many great Biblical truths from them, truths I cling to more and more as I grow older.
If only, like the ultimately triumphant frog, we could all be deaf to discouragement.
By the way, TriTorch, you and I had a valuable exchange on discouragement and encouragement about a year ago. It was on my post about (imaginary) mint candies: DiscourageMints and EncourageMints:
https://nedb.substack.com/p/discourage-mints
Ah I remember that Ned, those were good times. =)
In the spirit of encouragement: count me as a huge fan of the wit and skill that goes into your art and satire. It can be bitingly insightful or poignantly hilarious, or both at the same time.
I am both humbled and gratified by your compliment. Right back atcha.
Creator, bless and keep those of us who are deemed to be sheep - Safe from the harm of those unaccountable. As we mean no harm! Our direction is for nothing more than beauty and safety, that for which is your/our protection in the coming times.
We do not look to sickness, for troubles, or for those who have years of experience in deception. Deceiving, can lead others into temptation without knowledge of much - We must walk the "Red Path", be none other than the kindness and goodliness to those around us, we expect to have proven to be, loving, beautiful and kind - while not allowing others to take advantage of our good nature and bright light.
Blessings ~ Depswah
Everybody Needs Encouragement
We are but animate stardust, by every empirical measure of the human condition. But, like consciousness in artificial intelligence, the spirit of animation is ignored. Are you a machine? Can a machine distinguish the sacred from the profane? Can you? If so, thank God; if not, consider rebooting.
My mentor stated the above titled aphorism. He also said that people respond to simple caring. Do you care for others? Do they respond with appreciation? People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. It could be that simple caring is the manifestation of consciousness.
Be conscious, be human, be all that you can be. Be neither automatic, nor subject to influence. Truth is what works; be skeptical of verisimilitude, especially if it does not work. This is how your ancestors survived; you forge a bond with them (who deserve your worship) when you not only survive, but thrive. And give a thought to repaying them by producing your very own product: children. Then you experience Life Everlasting in the Heaven on Earth created by you. Thus it has ever been. Amen.
I pray for your physical, mental, financial well-being everyday!
Thank you susan!
An unkind word can hurt a child for life. An adult can often shake off hurtful words, but a child feels them more deeply. I remember as a little girl I was happy to wear shorts to play in. I would visit my father in the summer. One day he laughed at me and told me that I had knock-knees. As an adult I never wore anything above my knees. I was too ashamed.
Children do need positive attention and taught how to think about attaining goals in life. They need to know that we all have gifts in life and that we should appreciate them.
Thank you for sharing this article. It’s inspiring.
Sarahanne thank you for your comment, such a sad story. A similar event happened to me: someone once commented on my white legs as a kid and I rarely wore shorts again for decades. Words are so incredibly powerful, for good or ill, especially to impressionable children, and the worse part is your dad probably had no idea how his flippant words cut you, which is what makes their limitless ability to inspire equalled only by their danger. Loose lips really can sink ships.
I've appended the wonderful poem you submitted to the end. This article keeps getting more rich thanks to people like you. And hopefully it will serve as a reminder to those who read it, of the sheer power of their words and the responsibility that rides along with them.
I’m grateful for people like you who want to inspire others to make the world a more beautiful and happier place.
There's a lesson to be learned from that homily, T.T. - "Turn a DEAF EAR to the naysayers".
BTW...I have been trying all afternoon to respond to your very gracious private message to me today - and my browser has been "goofing off"...so NOW, I will tell you my "spiritual gift" is ENCOURAGEMENT. My German surname (married one) means "Evening Beautiful" OR "Beautiful Evening"....thus my moniker - (smile).
I loved reading this, so well written and engaging. The frog story makes me think of the discouragement we can sometimes give ourselves.
Thanks so much for mentioning my Note and Sarah today!
It’s right at home in this article, thank you for allowing me to add it without asking first. And Thank you so much for sharing your enlightening experience with Sarah. She is going to go far
I don't mind people sharing my work, as long as there's appropriate attribution, which you did here. Thanks again!
Thank you, if you’d like to crosspost this article it may be beneficial to your readers. My goal is to make the world a better place, and that frog story is a powerful reminder of how powerful words are
What a lovely parable. The frog who made it out was an optimist. I assume the best and sometimes I'm right. Even when I'm wrong about people, I try to find the reason they were cruel and every time it's because they are reacting from an internalized wound they've suffered. So I've decided I'm never wrong about people.
The frogs brought me to tears! Just amazing. I agree so wholeheartedly! Encouragement is gold. Why don't we do it more? Should ones friends all be encouraging? I say yes. Failing to encourage is a concealed kind of sin.
Concealment of sin, I think you’re absolutely right Celia. This insight brings to mind the singular quote I’ve built this work around:
Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Each one of is really is guilty, for all of the good we did not do.
Oath...thank you