I can't count the number of times I have felt down in the dumps for the mistakes I have made, advice I have disregarded, temptations I have given into and the standards I have failed to live up to. It sounds dark to admit I've had sad, anger-filled, frustrated thoughts about myself and the world around me, but then again, who doesn't have those moments? The moments where nothing goes as planned, parents are disappointed in your decisions, your body image doesn't live up to the "standard," or school isn't working out perfectly; the list could go on and on. How do people get past those moments? How can a person clear their brain of a destructive cycle? How can negative thoughts change to positives ones? I believe encouragement can cure the unhealthiest of mindsets.
No one knows the thoughts of another. No one knows the entirety of anyone's story or what they've experienced to create their specific mindset. So how can you know how your words will affect them? Why not always speak in order to build up their self-love? I find the best interactions the ones where the individuals end the conversation with a radiating smile; whether online or in person, with strangers or close friends, the most satisfying words are the encouragements given to me. Better yet, the encouragements I can give to others is even more rewarding.
The mind reacts to the hopeful, supportive and kind words said to it in a positive manner, or at least mine does. It's intriguing how a small compliment about someone's fitness achievements can build their confidence or how showing appreciation of an employee's efforts feeds their work ethic, making the compliment really not small at all. Speaking encouraging words to anyone may make their hour, day or week hope-filled and this is quite possibly one of the best feelings in the world. Try it out. Classmates worried about grades? Encourage. Sister having self-esteem issues? Encourage. Teammates feeling useless? Encourage. Friends hurt by relationships? Encourage. Few things can give a person more will to keep going than caring, motivating, and positive remarks.
Encouragement will not only benefit the life of another, but as I have found, speaking such words and seeing the happiness as a result makes my heart overflow with joy knowing someone else can be bettered because of me. That is not to say in a selfish way, "Let me speak pretend words to others so I can say I did a good deed for the day!" That is entirely aside from the point. The point is to think selflessly; to go out of your way to help someone along their way, and in turn you may walk away with a fuller heart.
Everyone has moments; moments that discourage, weaken or dissolve the positive thoughts the mind may produce. Individuals fight with their own mind on a day-to-day basis, but with a little help from a friend or stranger, those struggles can be dealt with more ease.
So remember, a word of encouragement makes the world go 'round! A compliment, prayer, inspiration, pep talk, even a smile or "hello" can leave someone in a better state than they were before. Go out into the world and be selfless, be motivating, be loving and whatever you do, do it to pull people out of a dark place into a brighter, more marvelous future.
