Use your words to instill courage
It has been an eventful week, particularly in Eastern Europe. Pictures of conflict and impending war have flooded the media and social platforms. This type of event touches humanity at it’s core. It is the type of experience that reminds us of the crucial need of being brave in the face of uncertainty and threatening circumstances.
In a world of criticism, vitriol, canceling, hate and revenge, encouragement seems to have fallen out of fashion. When last did somebody speak a word of encouragement to you? Can you remember a recent example of where you did the encouraging?
Think about this: encouragement literally means to hearten or make strong. You can use your words to grow or instill courage. By choosing your words wisely, you can help somebody else be more brave. By paying attention to the words you use, you can allow yourself to be more courageous. Courage doesn’t happen by accident, it is cultivated.
We need courage, now more than ever. It’s not like any of us have enjoyed a free ride over the past two years, in particular.
Courage to stand up to injustice.
Courage to not fan the flames of hateful reactions and vitriolic revenge.
Courage to fight against mediocrity and slipping standards.
Courage to take risks and do what we know to be the right thing.
Courage to take the leap we know will take us to the next level.
Courage to say no to the thing we know is holding us back.
Courage to have uncomfortable but necessary conversations.
Courage to be real and fully human.
In a world in desperate need of courageous action, be a source that ignites others’ willingness to act in a brave way.
We’re not talking about delivering Martin Luther King “I have a dream” type speeches. But in small, consistent ways make others know that you believe in them. That you care deeply for them.
Use your words purposefully and wisely. Be an encourager.
“A hero is no braver than an ordinary (wo)man, but he (she) is brave for five minutes longer” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
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