Encouragement

Encouragement is something we all need. Not unnecessary, but real and thoughtful encouragement.

I experienced that today in talking with some former students who asked the question, "have I changed in four years?" 

"Oh yes," I said. "You have," and then I gushed for some time about their academic, spiritual, and cognitive development. 

Without going into specifics (to protect their identities) I have to say it is a special privilege to see four years of growth and to share with them my findings. And then they looked at each other and pointed out more strengths.

Sharing kind words is important. 

It's easy to keep our encouragements hidden, to tell these words to someone else, to write them in a letter of recommendation, or to toast them at someone's wedding. 

What would happen if we let others know their strengths along the road and not at some expected benchmark?

From my experience, there is only good that can come from it. People work more diligently. They know they've been noticed. They are careful not to lose that strength and take more ownership of it.

So encourage others. Prove what you say using examples. Before you know it, there will be a ripple effect.