‘The Inconceivable Power of Your Encouragement (And Discouragement) in 12 Sentences
I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best’
uplifting…
‘By Unknown:
As a group of frogs were traveling through the woods, two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs crowded around the pit and saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them.
However, the two frogs decided to ignore what the others were saying and they proceeded to try and jump out of the pit.
Despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up. That they would never make it out.
Eventually, one of the frogs took heed to what the others were saying and he gave up, falling down to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.
He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
Author’s Note: Thanks to all of you who have encouraged and supported this work over the years. You are the reason it is still alive—That’s an incredibly powerful force you wield. My prayers, encouragement, and best wishes go out to all of you and to everyone in your lives.
A word of encouragement from a teacher to a child can change a life. A word of encouragement from a spouse can save a marriage. A word of encouragement from a leader can inspire a person to reach their potential.
—John C Maxwell
Addendum a, Submitted by
:
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear … be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you.
—Ephesians 4:29, 32
Addendum b, Submitted by
If only, like the ultimately triumphant frog, we could all be deaf to discouragement.
Addendum c, Submitted by Sarahanne25:
Watch Your Words
A careless word | May kindle strife | A cruel word | May wreck a life | A bitter word | May hate instill | A brutal word | May smite and kill | A gracious word | May smooth the way | A joyous word | May light the day | A timely word | May lesson stress | A loving word | May heal and bless.
—Grenville Kleiser
Addendum d, Submitted by
The world is tough and brittle, and it’s easy to barb other people with our irritation and ire. I wonder what might happen if we tried softer, rather than harder?
Sarah asked if she could accompany me on an early morning walk with our dog, Daisy.
It wasn’t quite 9 AM, and frost covered the stray leaves on maple trees. Our breath came out in puffs when we spoke to each other, and our noses numbed in a matter of minutes.
“Mom, I can tell when you and Dad are stressed,” Sarah said.
I raised one eyebrow. “Oh yeah? How is that?”
“Because your voice sounds different than it normally does.”
Oh.
I didn’t know what to say. Sarah often renders me speechless with her obvious way of stating the truth.
She continued, “I know it’s important to pay attention to how you sound to other people, because Miss Heather is teaching me that.” Miss Heather is Sarah’s phenomenal counselor, who works with kids who have developmental disabilities.
I nodded.
“Maybe if we all tried to use a softer voice, then other people around us wouldn’t feel sad or mad?”
A softer voice. Yes. Softness. Isn’t that what we need? Something akin to a pillow or comforter or hot mug of tea. Warmth. Embrace. Kindness.
Tenderness has the power to disarm. It’s an invitation to vulnerability, to safety, to integration.
If That Resonated With You, So Should This
Apples of Gold Volume 2 + A Fond Farewell for Now
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Aug 25
The Cracked Pot
Click this link for the original source of this article.
Author: Dr. Paul Alexander
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