Interesting Facts: ‘Members of the most effective work groups give one another six times more affirmation than disapproval, disagreement, or sarcasm. Least productive teams tend to use almost three negative comments for every helpful word.’
In other words ;P, words are powerful. Ignore the whole, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but, …”. Words do hurt…if used in a way that could possibly have a lasting negative psychological effect. But, who wants that?
There is a lot of value in words. They shape relationships and, determine outcomes. And, I think that if our hearts are in the Right Place, and, we’re striving to live The Good Life, we naturally will be ‘great encouragers’ and, ‘cheer one another on’, all with the right intentions, of course…to bring out the best in others.
And, in order to do just this, we really ought to practice active listening. So, when we’re having those conversations with a friend, for example, that really needs someone to talk to because he or she is dealing with something that is causing a stirring of emotions, then, that’s when giving others affirmation, that what they are going through is temporary, that there is a bright side, is key. This conversation may be just what your friend needed for him/her to move forward.
We also don’t want to be ‘story toppers’. Let’s be careful to ‘avoid flattery’.
When we stop and take a moment to think about what Jesus endured for us, doesn’t it make it that much easier and, gives us reason to ‘comfort, forgive, inspire, and lovingly challenge one another‘?…in the workplace, at home, in public…anywhere?!
Here’s to giving people a reason to smile!
Love,
Lisa
1 Thess. 5:9 – 28 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
“Father in heaven, please help us to give others a small taste of the mercy and kindness You are forever offering us.”
Amen