Writers are a helpful bunch of people. On Tuesday I found a lovely review of ‘Kaleidoscope,’ my collection of poems, at Aussie Reviews. That review along with a great review on the same site of my children’s book, ‘Karaoke Kate,’ boosted my spirits, the same way comments from some of you here at families.com do.
Then today, another writer passed on a response she saw to my children’s story. ‘Dad likes to Cook’ appeared last month in Countdown, one of four magazines put out monthly by School Magazine here in New South Wales. The May magazine contained not only the comment from the child, who enjoyed the story but a response from the editor saying it was a favorite.
Encouraging words can really boost flagging spirits and spur us to keep going when things are tough. It’s not just in the writing life we need encouraging words.
Our children need to be encouraged when they have done the right thing, when they’ve made an effort to share or help at home or made a hard choice – whatever it might be. Genuine praise and encouragement make such a difference.
Last Christmas our two young grandchildren gave us two paintings on canvases. They’re not Van Gogh’s or Monet’s but the grandchildren were delighted to see them hanging on the wall in the room where they sleep when they visit with their Mom and Dad. After encouragement, he received for his drawing efforts, our young grandson left us three drawings.
Encouragement can inspire all of us want to do better and please the other person, whereas sharp words or lack of response can destroy a gentle, creative spirit.
Our husbands or wives as the case may be, need to be encouraged when they do something thoughtful – when they cook a tasty meal, do the shopping, or do a job around the house that needed doing. The other day my husband hung the washing out, so I didn’t have to go out in the cold wind since I’m still trying to shake off the flu. Maybe things weren’t hung how I would have hung them, but I kept that to myself and thanked him for doing it.
So next time someone does something kind for you, don’t forget to thank them. It might encourage them to do those things more often. And while you’re at it, don’t forget your pastor, or those who make the morning tea at church, or those who teach your children or provide the music. A word of encouragement will surely brighten their day.
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