The Color of Encouragement

“Our chief want

is someone who will inspire us

to be what we know we could be.” 

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

There is a story about two frogs that fell down a deep pit when hopping through the woods with their frog friends. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions. When they saw how deep the pit was, they agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.

Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless. The frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead.

The two frogs continued jumping with all their might, and after several hours of this, were quite weary. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellow frogs. Exhausted, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could, although his body was wracked with pain and he was quite exhausted. Once again, his companions began yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and, wonder of wonders, finally leaped so high that he sprang from the pit.

 Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his freedom, and then gathering around him asked, "Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?"

The astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and as he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.

“Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is.

Treat a man as he can and should be

and he will become as he can and should be.” 

(Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People)

Through our words and actions we can inspire others to exceed their potentials, to push beyond their limits and be as brilliant as they have been created to be. We can also, though, cause deep wounds, even unto death, as a consequence of our words; there is an enormous power in our speech to create or to destroy.

“All we have to decide is what to do

with the time that is given us.” 

(J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring)

Today you will cross paths with family members, friends, co-workers, strangers on the street; you will meet people you like, and a few you dislike... each meeting, every face you encounter, will be an opportunity for you to encourage and lift up someone's life. A choice will present itself - to pass them by in silence, to cut them apart in spite, or to reveal your deepest truth, to let Love and Light pour through you as you speak words of life to them. 

Choose to be life-giving; choose to be a partner with those you meet in remaking our world in the image of Love. Your words can change lives, for many a wondrous deed has been accomplished as a result of a foundation of encouragement from others.

I leave the last word to the apostle Paul, the great encourager: 

"Therefore encourage one another

and build one another up,

just as you are doing."

(1 Thessalonians 5.11)

The color of encouragement...

vision beyond limitation.

An eaglet

perches nest-side

first flight

awaiting

fear grounds her

wings may fail

wind my falter

mother's cry

quells all

and

hesitant wings

spread

to kiss the sky

and

soar.

Be the cry

that is someone's

first

flight

Pause

Breathe

Listen

To Ponder Further:

- From the Bible: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4.29)

- From Buddhism: "Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” (Buddha)

- From Taoism: "Those that are good, seek for friends; that will help you to practice virtue with body and soul. Those that are wicked, keep at a distance; it will prevent evil from approaching you." (Taoism. Tract of the Quiet Way)