Encourage This
Here is something I want to change
CONTEMPLATION
In yesterday’s essay, I talked about how I reflect on my day and observe my thoughts in the evening (read more about this in ‘Three Things’). Today, I want to elaborate on an important observation that came to my attention during this time of contemplation. It concerns something I did - or rather, did not do - that I want to change: Encouraging the good…
Recently, I noticed a young man remaining calm and acting selflessly in a stressful situation. I stayed silent. ‘He knows he did something good’, I remember thinking, ‘…no need to point that out to him’. How foolish of me.
This needs to change.
There are certainly times when silence is wise. But this was not one of them.
I want to strengthen people when I see them do something good. I want to look for that behavior, walk up to them, and say, ‘I saw what you did; it made a difference. Keep up the good work!’
Good, honorable, virtuous behavior – no matter how small - must be recognized and spurred on. In a world where there is plenty of discouragement, I want to be a voice of encouragement.
Moving forward, I will focus on this: Encouraging the good I see - in those around me, but also in myself. We can sometimes be our own harshest critics - and to a certain degree, I think that is not a bad thing. We need to hold ourselves to a high standard in the things that matter. I cannot lie for my own gain and then console myself by saying, ‘I’m only human’. We must have high expectations of ourselves. We must recognize when we fall short, or we will never change and grow. At the same time, we must also acknowledge when we act virtuously.
If I strive to keep Christ’s commands yet refuse to humbly acknowledge the times I do so successfully, I am deceiving myself. When I recognize commendable behavior in myself, I must also remind myself, ‘That was good, keep it up!’
Today's message is simple: Make every effort to see the good that you and those around you do. Do not hesitate to acknowledge the difference it makes and then continue down that path.