Here’s an illustration of an ideal way we can encourage each other…
There’s a meme going around the social media world that says that a woman should be a person who fixes another lady’s crown without telling everyone that it was crooked. It’s one of the most powerful statements on the web.
The world today can be cruel. Some people will do anything they can to climb the corporate ladder of success, including stepping on a few individuals on the way up. However, you don’t have to be someone who tears others down just to promote yourself. You can be an atmosphere changer by learning to encourage others.
15 Ways to Encourage One Another
Negativity must stop. You need to recognize the value and beauty of every living thing. You need to understand the value and beauty of every living creature. If you’re wondering how you can change these negative patterns and help to lift others, then here are some easy ways to accomplish this goal.
1. Give Accolades
It’s always nice to be appreciated. Focus on positive things rather than negative ones, and it will change your entire life. You don’t have to be best friends with a person to tell them something beautiful about themselves.
Speaking positive things into the atmosphere thwarts negativity. If you want to make someone feel good about themselves, then admire an outfit, hairdo, cologne, or a personal style that seems to suit them.
2. Smile Often
You never know the burdens that another person carries. You may see them as angry, bitter, or even downright mean. However, it may be the load they have is so heavy that they cannot even muster a smile.
When you smile at them, you are letting them know that no matter how bad your day, I am still going to be a positive driving force. The beautiful thing about smiles is that they are contagious. You may be the one bright spot in their day by giving an encouraging smile.
3. Do A Random Act of Kindness
Random acts of kindness are a fabulous way to encourage someone. Have you ever been in a drive-through getting food and the car ahead of you paid for your order? How did that make you feel?
When you step out of your comfort zone and do one of these random acts, you show that good people are still out there. If a coworker is going through a rough spot, then a nice little deed can make all the difference in their day.
4. Let Someone Know You Care
Your words are powerful and can speak life to someone. There are going to be days when you want to scream and run from coworkers or relatives. Instead, let that person know that you understand that they are having a bad day and be a shoulder for them to cry on.
By speaking blessings to someone when they are at their lowest, it can be a game-changer. Remember, hugs are welcomed by many, and a pat on the shoulder is often all someone needs to make it through the day.
5. Give Cards or Flowers
Cards or flowers can brighten the day. Is there someone you know that could benefit from such a kind act? Cards are so inexpensive, but their impact is priceless.
While flowers may cost a bit more, they are the perfect gift for someone who is in a rough patch in life. Even though it’s a small deed, it certainly will not go unnoticed.
6. Post Some Sticky Notes of Gratitude
Frequently, it’s challenging to live or work with people daily. Little nuances that may get under your skin can quickly drive a wedge. Why not leave little notes of gratitude around the home or office?
Sticky notes on the bathroom mirror that reminds a person how beautiful they are can put a spring in their step. Why not put a note on a coworker’s computer that tells them how much you appreciate all they do at the office?
A little note of gratitude is sometimes just what a person needs to boost their self-esteem.
7. Help Someone in Need
Do you know someone in need? Why not help an older person by mowing their grass or raking their leaves? You can take food to someone who lost a job or is down on their luck.
There are so many needs right in your local community. Though you may not help the entire world, to the one you do help, you will be their world. Giving a basket of food to someone in need may be the only meal they get that day.
8. Listen
Have you ever had a day when you just needed to vent? Situations in life can stretch you to your breaking point. Be the listening ear that someone needs.
Some people are very private, and others welcome a conversation about what’s going wrong in their life. Let someone know that you are there if they need to talk. Don’t judge, just be there to listen to what is going on that is troubling them.
9. Be Patient
How many times in one day can you practice patience? It seems that the best place to practice this act is at the grocery store standing in a long line. It’s easy to point out all the things that the cashier could be doing to make the line move quicker.
The problem is that most people don’t recognize the stress that the cashier feels as they try to move people through the store quickly. Instead of huffing and sighing heavily at the slow-moving line, tell the cashier what a good job they’re doing.
So many people come through these lines angry and frustrated because they have places to go and things to do. However, you can keep that work from a breakdown by merely telling them you appreciate the excellent job they’re doing. Remember, a little gratitude goes a long way.
10. Send A Handwritten Letter
The only things that seem to come in the mail these days are bills and packages you order. People communicate through texts, emails, and phone calls. Why not go out of your way to send someone a handwritten letter.
The beauty of a handwritten letter is it shows a person that you took the time out of your busy day to do something special for them. Perhaps, it’s something that goes back to the “olden days,” but there is something beautiful about getting a letter made especially for you.
11. Tell Someone How Much You Love Them
Do you remember to tell your loved ones how much you care about them? Sure, they know you love them, but do you tell them how you feel? Your words of affirmation can be like water to dry land.
Hearing the words “I love you” tends to give hope in relationships and offer security that a person is there for you. Tell your children, spouse, parents, and relatives how much they mean to you by using those three simple words.
12. Don’t Talk Down to People – Talk Up
It’s impossible to think that with nearly 8 million people on this planet that everyone would get along. However, start looking at others as above you rather than beneath you.
It may be tempting to talk down to that coworker who seems to be slacking off in their work. However, speak up to them rather than down and watch your relationship change.
13. Volunteer Your Services
There are so many things that you can do to help others in need. Always be eager to help someone who needs it because you never know when the tides will turn, and you will be in their shoes.
Why not volunteer at a soup kitchen feeding the homeless or less fortunate? If you belong to a house of faith, you can always offer to clean or pitch in to do things that need to be done around the facility. Donate just a few hours each week and encourage others by your giving nature.
14. Give Homemade Gifts
Who do you know that could benefit from a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies? Why not bake or craft something for someone going through a difficult time? People love homemade goodies, especially when they know that you took time out of your day to make them smile.
15. Donate Items to Charity
Do you have things sitting around your home that someone else could use? While those bags of clothes you haven’t worn in years may be useless to you, it may be the ticket to a new job for someone in need.
Clean out your closets and find things that can help others. While it may be tempting to sell or even pitch them in the trash, someone can benefit from your used items.
Final Thoughts: Encourage Someone to Be A Shining Star in the Darkness
There are so many things that you can do daily to encourage others. Always smile, have a compliment ready to roll off the tongue, and never underestimate the power of a random act of kindness.
When you encourage others, you reap mounds of joy in your life. Plus, all the positivity you display in your life is right for your mental health too.
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