Sometimes a few kind, uplifting words from someone make a difficult situation better. Sometimes encouragement comes from friends or family. Other times it might come from a total stranger. I’m a fan of the phrase “Be kind whenever possible. It’s always possible.” Encouraging others is another form of kindness. Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas proclaimed the first Day of Encouragement on August 22, 2007. The project began as the brainchild from the Encouragement Foundation at Harding University in Searcy. A month later, Governor Mike Beebe, proclaimed September 12, 2007 the “State Day of Encouragement for Arkansas. Later President George W. Bush made September 12th the National Day of Encouragement.
How does one participate in this national holiday? Encourage others. Reassure, inspire, or tell someone how important they are to you. Think about someone other than yourself and say a few kind words to them. If someone feels like giving up, tell them to keep trying. Or at least listen to them vent their frustrations. Sometimes having someone listen is enough to encourage someone to keep fighting. At some point in our lives, we all need encouragement. We all need a little push to see the positive and keep going when all hope is lost. If you’re struggling, things will get better. Even if it doesn’t look like they will.
James Pack 