Encouragement

Today I am going to brag about my wife. It it because of her that I am writing this blog after all. Maribeth has always been a very encouraging person. Whenever I have presented her with ideas she has always heard me out. If they have been good ideas, she has been consistent at encouraging me in them. If they haven't been the best ideas, however, she has been very gentle about telling me so, but was still willing to let me try and was still encouraging nonetheless. Writing is something she has always seen a potential in with me and so she has always been very encouraging about it. In fact, a lot of times I've had her proof read things before submitting them because she also has great input and insight. She has taken what I thought may have just been a whimsical dream and really pushed me into making it a reality. What she has done for me in helping to develop my dreams and myself as a man has been very powerful for me and it's that power, that of encouragement, that I would like to talk about today.

What she has taught me, and what I have observed when practicing encouragement with others, is a great tool to use with others. Not in the sense of manipulating them for your own purposes, but in the pure sense of seeing the potential in others and pushing them to bringing out that potential. Maribeth has always been selfless in her approach and I think that is the key to this whole thing. When you encourage others just for the sake of seeing them become a better self, and not for your own agenda, then you both find the most success and satisfaction. Everyone wins because they became a better self and you helped them get there. Whether you are encouraging a talent your child has that they cannot see yet, or you are helping to motivate a friend to do the right thing, you must never make it about yourself. If you do, then you end up getting frustrated because your own expectations aren't being met and are now actually being harmful to the person you were trying to help.

Another key to their success is consistency. At first a lot of people, like me, will need consistent encouragement because of an ever present lack of confidence. Beth didn't just initially tell me it was a good idea to write, she consistently told me it was good and convinced me. Even to this day when I have my doubts she is quick to turn them around by her encouraging words.

Now if one doesn't find success in what they wanted to pursue that's okay too. It's still good to let them try at least once and because of your encouragement they will still feel like it was worth a shot and they will be more inclined to try their next dream. Some things you may see as an unworthy pursuit, but I think this is where discretion should be used because if it is something they love to do then it may still be worthwhile to them. Even if they do not find success in it and move on to something else, they at least gave it a shot and you were there to cheer them on. Never tell them something was a waste of their time though. That will only serve to discourage them in the next thing that may not be a waste of time. With time they will see whether what they are pursuing is worthwhile or not. That isn't for us to decide for them. No matter what we must continue to be encouraging because eventually they will hit on something they are good at and you will have helped them discover it.

Today, let us try and be encouraging to someone just for the sake of encouraging them. You never know what kind of impact you will have on that person. When you practice it with consistency, ask them if they would appreciate your input, if they haven't told you so already. If they are okay with it, then be encouraging in what you say to give them outside insight into their dreams. If they are not okay with it, then respect that and don't take offense. Just continue to encourage them as they feel it out for themselves.

Thank you to my lovely wife, Maribeth. I love you very much sweetheart. It is because of your encouragement that I am able to have this joy of writing.