Greetings,
There is an old song from the 60's that says "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of." Encouragement is a very important component of how we can show love to others that is often missing in our every day lives.
There is an old song from the 60's that says "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of." Encouragement is a very important component of how we can show love to others that is often missing in our every day lives.
Today I'm going to focus on a concept that we don't get enough of in life - encouragement. Most messages we receive these days are discouraging. Our students are constantly put down by their peers. Parents, who may mean well when setting high expectations, indirectly imply their children are not good enough. Educators who give their hearts and souls daily to their students are often criticized for not giving enough of their time. With so much negativity it is very easy to begin to slide down the slippery slope of the 5 D's. 1. Disappointment (Check out one of my guidance lessons) 2. Discouragement 3. Depression 4. Despondency 5. Despair
The good news is that encouragement is something we can all do. It doesn't take any special training or certification. There are no tests to take or books to read. Almost anyone can be an Encourager. All it takes is a heart that sees the good in others and a desire to compliment that good. Encouragement is a gift that everyone wants and needs. Although some people naturally have the gift of encouraging others, it is a skill that can be learned. I want to encourage my readers to take on what I call "The Encouragement Project" for their school.
The Encouragement Project introduces to your school a culture of support and positive interactions. There is much we can do as counselors to enlighten others about the wonderful benefits of encouragement. Here are a few suggestions to share with your students.
Start with a SMILE.
While living in California I was assigned to four different inner city schools and everyday of the week I was at a different school. My time with each school was limited and the needs were great. Yet even the simplest form of encouragement, even a smile, meant a lot to the students.
Avoid Negative Self Talk
Part of what is needed to be a good Encourager is to see yourself in a good light. Of course, it is important to be honest because we all have things we can improve upon. However, avoid things like negative self-talk and allowing negative thoughts to take root in your mind. These things thwart encouragement.
Be a Person who Builds Joy
We all know people who are "killjoys" or "Debby Downer's" from famous Saturday Night Live skit. These are people who "kill our joy" by their negative disposition. Instead of being a person who likes to gossip or put others down, Encouragers take joy with them wherever they go, and they seek to build joy among all people and in all (well, most) situations by offering kindness and acceptance. In other words, don't be a person who continually bears bad news. Instead always find something positive to say.
Encourage Peace
Peace means absence of conflict. However, to have peace does not mean there will never be conflict. Peace requires that we work through conflict when it arises. A wonderful strategy is learning about the conflict escalator and ways to avoid going up and how to get off the conflict escalator. Learn to give invitations to friendship. Resolution of conflict yields lasting, true peace.
Use Encourages Language
Many of us are familiar with Dr. Gary Chapman's book "The Five Languages of Love". Using this idea of different languages of love, there are also different languages for encouragement. Some people respond well to verbal affirmation. Another way we encourage is through spending time with others. When we are sad, sometimes we don't need words of comfort. It is enough for someone to just "be present" with us, even if few words are said. In learning how to be an Encourager, sometimes we don't need to use words. Being a good listener, or just being patient in being present is encouraging. Writing an encouraging letter to someone is a great gift. Often an encouraging comment is said yet may be forgotten, but an encouraging letter is something one can read over and over again. To encourage is not only to say things but to do things. So acts of service are also a form of encouragement. When someone does something for us, we feel uplifted. Doing Random Acts of Kindness is a wonderful form of Encouragement.
Become a Bucket Filler
An excellent way to teach about being an Encourager is through the concept of "filling ones bucket" with kindness. Here are three excellent books to use with the students. In addition, I have prepared a guidance lesson as well.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud,
How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath,
Bucket Filling from A to Z: The Key to Being Happy by Carol McCloud
Words of Thanks
Like the power of a smile, sharing words of thanks are powerful means of encouragement. It only takes a moment of time to acknowledge thanks.
I encourage you to learn the art of encouragement and share it with your students.
Be a voice of encouragement.
Build up each other.
Make that a goal for every day, to encourage and build up at least one person a day and encourage others to do so as well.
Warmly,
Jeanette
The good news is that encouragement is something we can all do. It doesn't take any special training or certification. There are no tests to take or books to read. Almost anyone can be an Encourager. All it takes is a heart that sees the good in others and a desire to compliment that good. Encouragement is a gift that everyone wants and needs. Although some people naturally have the gift of encouraging others, it is a skill that can be learned. I want to encourage my readers to take on what I call "The Encouragement Project" for their school.
The Encouragement Project introduces to your school a culture of support and positive interactions. There is much we can do as counselors to enlighten others about the wonderful benefits of encouragement. Here are a few suggestions to share with your students.
Start with a SMILE.
While living in California I was assigned to four different inner city schools and everyday of the week I was at a different school. My time with each school was limited and the needs were great. Yet even the simplest form of encouragement, even a smile, meant a lot to the students.
Avoid Negative Self Talk
Part of what is needed to be a good Encourager is to see yourself in a good light. Of course, it is important to be honest because we all have things we can improve upon. However, avoid things like negative self-talk and allowing negative thoughts to take root in your mind. These things thwart encouragement.
Be a Person who Builds Joy
We all know people who are "killjoys" or "Debby Downer's" from famous Saturday Night Live skit. These are people who "kill our joy" by their negative disposition. Instead of being a person who likes to gossip or put others down, Encouragers take joy with them wherever they go, and they seek to build joy among all people and in all (well, most) situations by offering kindness and acceptance. In other words, don't be a person who continually bears bad news. Instead always find something positive to say.
Encourage Peace
Peace means absence of conflict. However, to have peace does not mean there will never be conflict. Peace requires that we work through conflict when it arises. A wonderful strategy is learning about the conflict escalator and ways to avoid going up and how to get off the conflict escalator. Learn to give invitations to friendship. Resolution of conflict yields lasting, true peace.
Use Encourages Language
Many of us are familiar with Dr. Gary Chapman's book "The Five Languages of Love". Using this idea of different languages of love, there are also different languages for encouragement. Some people respond well to verbal affirmation. Another way we encourage is through spending time with others. When we are sad, sometimes we don't need words of comfort. It is enough for someone to just "be present" with us, even if few words are said. In learning how to be an Encourager, sometimes we don't need to use words. Being a good listener, or just being patient in being present is encouraging. Writing an encouraging letter to someone is a great gift. Often an encouraging comment is said yet may be forgotten, but an encouraging letter is something one can read over and over again. To encourage is not only to say things but to do things. So acts of service are also a form of encouragement. When someone does something for us, we feel uplifted. Doing Random Acts of Kindness is a wonderful form of Encouragement.
Become a Bucket Filler
An excellent way to teach about being an Encourager is through the concept of "filling ones bucket" with kindness. Here are three excellent books to use with the students. In addition, I have prepared a guidance lesson as well.
Have You Filled a Bucket Today?: A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids by Carol McCloud,
How Full Is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath,
Bucket Filling from A to Z: The Key to Being Happy by Carol McCloud
Words of Thanks
Like the power of a smile, sharing words of thanks are powerful means of encouragement. It only takes a moment of time to acknowledge thanks.
I encourage you to learn the art of encouragement and share it with your students.
Be a voice of encouragement.
Build up each other.
Make that a goal for every day, to encourage and build up at least one person a day and encourage others to do so as well.
Warmly,
Jeanette