“Our world is full of plenty of criticism and negative comments. You don’t need more of either. We respond to negativity easily, so surround yourself with supportive people who offer encouragement and understanding.”
What is the music of our minds playing everyday? Do we berrate ourselves over every minor mistake we make? Are we giving ourselves negative messages all throught the priceless minutes of our lives?
Don’t do that. Think about the good you do, it will far outweigh personal or professional errors. You are human, you will fail at times to meet even your expectations. Sometimes you will disappoint others. Do they not disappoint you as well? No one can do the right thing all the time.
Who believes in you? Who supports you? Who is positive in their speech, their deeds? Who lifts you up? Who do you admire? Think about your inner circle. Make sure it’s full of people who improve your life and help you to reach higher, yet appreciating who you are at this moment.
Have you thought of a friend or acquaintance that drains you? Is there one who is complaining constantly? I’m not talking about someone who truly has a problem, but rather the one who always has a problem, and never seems to be able to let anything go.
Those people melt away your cheerand seem to suck the happiness right out of you. Let them go. They are taking too much from you, it is not your place to try to change them. When you surround yourself with those who lift you up and are strong, you will become like them.
It is important to develop a society of friends who are mutually encouraging.
When foster kids entered our home to be in our care for a period of time, one of the first things we did was begin to work on their self image. Because of their harsh experiences and sadness, they demonstrated negativity easily. Irritation filled their soul, moving them quickly to arguments and fighting. We began by complimenting them, praising them for the smallest of things.
- I like the way you shut the door so quietly.
- I like how you asked to turn on the TV.
- That was helpful of you to scrape your plate into the trash.
- I noticed you helped Sue with reading that word.
- You hung your shirt up without being asked, that helps keep our home neat.
- I’m glad you brought your back pack home from school and put it away.
These children had heard so much criticism, they were not used to thinking they did anything right, or that what they did good was appreciated. Sometimes, they did not even recognize good behavior. When we praised them, they did more things right. It was wonderful to hear them mimick the compliments by saying similar things to their friends or others in the home.
You can soar to new heights and reach your dreams, with the energy and help of those who believe in you. And, by the way, who do you encourage and support?
Remember -
“Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.” – George M Adams
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