“Oh my gosh! Thanks not only for taking time to respond to the survey, but for giving me such high marks. Your comments sum up how I WANT your tax experience to be! I have printed your response and put it in my binder, so I can reference on the not-so-good days. Thanks for being such an encourager! I enjoyed meeting you!”
The above is an email I received from the woman who prepared my taxes. The funny thing is, I cannot remember the EXACT comments I left about her in my feedback. We only met the day of my appointment and spent no other time with each other. This added to the magic of receiving such a heartfelt note. It warmed my heart be called “an encourager.”
Life isn’t easy for any of us on this planet. Daily struggles have a knack for extinguishing the spark we awaken with. I wish we were not a population of overworked, and underappreciated people. In an attempt to exterminate. the spread of heartbreak, I choose to navigate life flying the banner of Proverbs 12: 25,
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
What a wonderful world we would have if our hearts were unburdened by stress and instead brimming with cheer. The simple magic of encouragement is it has the power to remind others they are seen and they matter. Do not worry about being a poet, artist or someone with ample free-time. There are several ways to transform someone’s day that require very little resources or specialized skill.
Start by being a good listener. This will create opportunities for the people you care about to share their story with you. A good portion of the population is starving to be authentically heard. Resist the urge to judge or fish for ways to relate. Accept that your solutions and rebuttals are not always welcome when someone is feeling sour.
Kindness is not exclusively beneficial to friends and family. It is a gift for all of mankind. Open your eyes to see the unsung heroes. Eradicate the concept of a thankless job. Sanitation workers, law enforcement officers, and mail couriers all keep the world spinning. Attentive eye contact, a smile and a simple thank you are likely more than what many choose to acknowledge them with.
Be considerate, respectful and patient in all interactions. Telemarketers and sales associates experience terrible days just like you. Please refrain from making their job any more difficult than it is. Note the name of sales clerks and customer service representatives. If you didn’t catch it on their name tag, it is typically printed on your sales receipt somewhere. Consider leaving positive feedback on a quick survey.
Encouraging others is like swiftly lobbing a grenade of love. It is a weapon so subtle but possessing the power to unleash explosive joy. The joy of others has the potential to elevate your own joy. These selfless gestures may fuel a ripple effect modern society needs. Let’s aim to make positive transformation to the world by encouraging the people we share it with.
