Take Time To Encourage Someone!

Have you ever had someone say something or do something for you to encourage you when you were at a low point in your life? Their words or act of kindness gave you strength to get through that particular trial. Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived (besides Jesus of course), said in Proverbs 25:11: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” The power or value of a timely word can be compared to the value one puts on apples made of gold presented in baskets made of silver.

Timely words are so precious! Just as pleasing as apples of gold in a silver basket are to the eyes, so are words pleasing to the ear. People need encouragement! Encouragement is defined as: “to give courage, hope, or confidence to; embolden; to give support to; be favorable to.” It’s just nice to be nice – Let the righteous smite me!

Someone saw a message board at Whole Foods where there were fliers written in bold black letters: “YOUR SMILE IS BEAUTIFUL! Please take a compliment. You deserve it. To spread a little more kindness, grab one for a friend too.”  Every single flier had been taken off the board. This shows that people are hungry for compliments! When you compliment people, you encourage them. Mark Twain once said: “I can live two months on a good compliment.”

When you compliment a person it can encourage them 5 ways:  1) They are seen; 2) They are acknowledged; 3) They are heard; 4) They feel special attention given to them; 5) They feel admired. Encouragement and kindness are affordable for everyone to give!  Someone once said: “A kind word will keep someone warm for years.”

Here are a few encouraging quotes that can be applied concerning kindness to others.

1) A nation does not have to be unkind to be strong. (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

2) You cannot do a kindness too soon, you never know how soon it will be too late. (Ralph Waldo Henderson)

3) A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. (William Arthur Ward)

4) Love and kindness are never wasted. They bless the receiver and the giver. (B. Angelis)

5) There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self esteem, the more likely one will treat others  with respect, kindness, and generosity. (Nathaniel Branden)

6) Wherever there is a human being there is an opportunity for kindness. (L. Seneca)

7) Kindness is not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can. (Andrew Iskander)

8) You don’t have to be wise to be kind but you are wise when you are kind. (E. L. Owens)

9) Three important life lessons are: 1) To be taught kindness in your youth; 2) to express kindness as you mature; 3) to leave kindness as a legacy. (Elect Lady Owens)

10) Somewhere, along the way, we must learn that there is nothing greater than to do something for others. (Martin L. King Jr.)

You should take time each day to encourage someone. You never know if your kind words of encouragement (apples of gold) could change that person’s day; take them from depression to joy; stop a suicidal tendency; or stop them from doing harm to others. Also encouraging others and volunteering can benefit you. “This can help you reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose to your life.”  “So, slow down and take some time to encourage someone!”