what is Encouragement?
Think about the word 'eulogy'. it comes from the greek 'eu' and 'logos' meaning "good speech". We might update the greek by calling it "high praise". In our culture, you only get a eulogy when you're dead. for too many, the greatest statements ever made about the value of their life will be spoken after their death. encouragement is about investing life into life with the power of the tongue.
the force of a spoken word cannot be overstated. there are many ways to say things. a text. a phone call. a written note. through all these options, there is no communication stronger than a face-to-face verbal word. when this method of communication is used to deliver encouragement, the results are phenomenal!
encouragement, like a eulogy, should be aimed at a persons value, contribution, purpose and significance. there's always room for "nice shirt" but we all need more than superficial pats on the back. think about the deeper core needs that we all hold like "am i wanted here?" or "are my ideas respected?". while we might pepper in a "nice shirt" here and there, we'd never say it at their funeral, in a eulogy. The deeper values of a human life, common to funerals, should be spoken in the day to day. "I like spending time with you." "You are such a creative person." "I'm impressed with your ability to lead people."
the force of a spoken word cannot be overstated. there are many ways to say things. a text. a phone call. a written note. through all these options, there is no communication stronger than a face-to-face verbal word. when this method of communication is used to deliver encouragement, the results are phenomenal!
encouragement, like a eulogy, should be aimed at a persons value, contribution, purpose and significance. there's always room for "nice shirt" but we all need more than superficial pats on the back. think about the deeper core needs that we all hold like "am i wanted here?" or "are my ideas respected?". while we might pepper in a "nice shirt" here and there, we'd never say it at their funeral, in a eulogy. The deeper values of a human life, common to funerals, should be spoken in the day to day. "I like spending time with you." "You are such a creative person." "I'm impressed with your ability to lead people."
